The potassium status of patients prior to open-heart surgery. The dysrhythmia that happens after open-heart surgery has at times been attributed to potassium depletion. Therefore, in some centers, patients scheduled for open-heart surgery are routinely given potassium supplements. We have assessed the potassium status of 32 patients prior to cardiac surgery (1) by measurements of plasma, red cell, and leukocyte potassium levels and total body potassium before and after administration of potassium supplements (144 mmoles daily for 3 days) and (2) by the changes in urine potassium during the supplementation. On admission none of the patients showed evidence of a large potassium deficit, and none of them retained much of the supplemental potassium. The observations that have previously been taken as evidence of potassium depletion in such patients are discussed, and alternative explanations are suggested for all these observations.


Arch versus femoral artery perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass. Aortic arch perfusion is favored by most cardiac surgeons. Perfusion via the femoral artery is still used sporadically at reoperations for aneurysms of the ascending aorta, or for the institution of partial pump support in very sick patients prior to opening of the chest. Our over-all experience indicates that surgical complications occurred primarily in the group of patients perfused via the femoral artery. On the other hand, serious disturbance in cerebral perfusion, as determined by electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, occurred in 7 percent of the patients perfused via the arch and 3 percent of those perfused via the femoral artery, a difference that was not statistically significant. We continue to advocate aortic arch cannulation and EEG monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.


Pulmonary hyperinflation in ventricular septal defect. Pulmonary hyperinflation (PH) has frequently been seen in patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD). Mean age of patients at the time of cardiac catherization and operation was less in Group II (PHI) than in Group I (normal pulmonary inflation). There is a statistically significant difference in the ratio of mean pulmonary to mean systemic blood flow and the ratio of mean peak pulmonary to mean peak systemic systolic pressures, with the higher values recorded for Group II. There is no statistically significant difference in the pulmonary vascular resistance in the two groups. Thirty-five of the 44 patients with PHI developed normal inflation within a month after surgical correction of VSD. Possible mechanisms of PHI in VSD are discussed. PHI is prolong and perpetuate respiratory distress and can lead to progressive lung disease. PHI is therefore another indication for early surgical correction of VSD.


Successful repair of double-outlet right ventricle, complete atrioventricular canal, and atrioventricular discordance associated with dextrocardia and pulmonary stenosis. The association of complete atrioventricular canal with other complex congenital cardiac anomalies has represented a significant challenge for the cardiac surgion. The combination of double-outlet right ventricle with complete atrioventricular canal has been particularly difficult to correct, with no surgical successes having been reported until recently. This is a report of the first successful repair of double-outlet right ventricle, complete atrioventricular canal, and atrioventricular discordance (ventricular incersion) associated with common atrium, bilateral superior venae cavae, dextrocardia, and pulmonary stenosis. The specialized conduction tissue was identified by intracardiac electrophysiological mapping, and normal sinus rhythm was preserved. Postoperative cardiac catheterization showed excellent hemodynamics. One year postoperatively, the patient was attending school, playing swimming without difficulty, and taking no cardiac medications. This good result lends encouragement for considering total repair for similar patients with the combination of double-outlet right ventricle, complete atrioventricular canal, and other associated congenital cardiac anomalies.


Atrial septal defect associated with drainage of left superior vena cava to left atrium and absence of the coronary sinus. Atrial septal defect associated with drainage of the left superior vena cava (LSVC) to the left atrium and absence of the coronary sinus is a rare congenital cardiac complex. Management of the LSVC during operative repair is usuall by one of three methods: (1) an intra-atrial baffle of pericardium to divery flow from the LSVC to the right arrium and to close the atrial septal defect; (2) division and reimplantation of the LSVC into the right atrium; or (3) simple ligation of the LSVC. We will present an example of this cardiac lesion for which successful repair was achieved by end-to-side anastomosis of the LSVC to the main pulmonary artery when none of the aforementioned methods for handling the LSVC was feasible.


Pseudomonas infection of the sternum and costal cartilages. Report of three cases. Pseudomonas osteochondritis of the chest wall and sternum has rarely been reported, but when present it has been extremely difficult to eradicate. Multiple operations to debride the involved areas and use of antibiotics have often been inadequate to control this resistant infection. This report describes our experience with three patients who had the late development of Pseudomonas osteochondritis of the chest wall. The infection occurred following crush trauma, sternotomy for congenital heart disease, and mastectomy and amputation of the upper extremity for carcinoma of the breast. Antibiotic therapy alone and with limited operations was unsuccessful in controlling the infection in all three instances. Eventually, each patient required extensive regional surgical removal of involved bone and cartilage. Complete healing followed. Our experience favors the early wide removal of bony and cartilaginous tissues in the involved region with preoperative and postoperative coverage by appropriate antibiotics. Operative management is detailed.


Ageing of chick embryo fibroblasts in vitro. II. Relationship between cell proliferation and increased multinuclear cells. The cell lines of chick embryo fibroblasts obtained from different embryos were sequentially cultivated and relationship between growth potential and increased multinuclear cells was examined. During ageing in vitro multinuclear cells increased with decreasing growth rate. Their percentage in the senescent cell populations reached 11--15% when the cells stopped growing, and 20--25% just before the cultures died out. This phenomenon may be useful as a parameter for cellular ageing. Most of the multinuclear cells were binucleates. The mean cell volume of the cells also increased through their lifespan with a sharp rise at the latest passages.


Temporal changes in histone acetylation. The incorporation of tritiated acetate was studied in developing and aging rats. Thymus, liver and serum were collected 30 minutes after injection of acetate. The trichloroacetic acid precipitable histone fraction was then extracted from liver and thymus and its radioactivity determined. Serum and cytoplasmic fractions were also counted. Serum activity declined with age. Thymus histone and cytoplasmic fractions showed a cyclic pattern. Acetylation of liver histones showed a straight line decline to a relatively constant level. The decline in acetylation of liver histones is postulated to be due to repression of acetylation processes and is thought to parallel the change of hepatocytes from a diploid to a polyploid state.


Relationship between glucose phosphorylating activities and erythrocyte age. Glucose phosphorylating activity of human erythrocytes quickly decreases during cell ageing; the electrophoretic pattern suggests that this fast decrease is due mainly to the isozyme II. We have shown that in the young cells only hexokinase I and II are responsible for the glucose phosphorylation, while in the old cells another glucose phosphorylating activity, more evident at high glucose concentration, is also present. The appearance of this activity during cell ageing could be interpreted as a post-translational modification of the native hexokinase.


Age-related decline in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans by cultured human fibroblasts (WI-38). A gradual decline in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, as evidenced by reduced rates of incorporation of [35S]-sulfate and [14C]-glucosamine into total cellular and extracellular glycosaminoglycans, occurred during the last 4 to 5 passages (1 : 2 splits) of WI-38 cultures before phase out. While labelling of cellular glycosaminoglycans by both radioactive precursors was reduced to about the same extent, a relatively greater decline in [35S]-sulfate than in [14C]-glucosamine incorporation into extracellular glycosaminoglycans was observed during the last passages. These changes in glycosaminoglycan metabolism are interpreted as an expression of cellular aging and a function of glycosaminoglycans in growth regulation (and possibly in the process of cellular senescence) is discussed.


Specific activity of human erythrocyte superoxide dismutase as a function of donor age. A brief note. Superoxide dismutase was assayed both immunochemically and by enzymatic activity in erythrocytes of human donors, 1 to 98 years of age. No change was observed in enzyme activity per unit enzyme antigen as a function of donor age.


Unscheduled dna synthesis in confluent and mitotically arrested populations of aging human diploid fibroblasts. Unscheduled DNA synthesis, used as a measure of excision repair following exposure to ultra-violet irradiation, was determined in confluent and arrested human diploid fibroblasts and correlated with in vitro age. Confluent cultures exhibited identical levels of unscheduled DNA synthesis at all in vitro ages. Cells arrested by lowering the serum concentration of the incubation medium exhibited similar levels of unscheduled DNA synthesis as did confluent cells during the first one-third of the cells' characteristic in vitro lifespan. During the last two-thirds of the lifespan, however, arrested populations exhibited a 30 to 50% increase in the amount of detectable DNA repair. This apparent increase in ability to perform unscheduled DNA synthesis was not time or dose dependent and could not be attributed to alterations in precursor pools. It was postulated that the increase may be correlated with changes in DNA structure.


Genetic recombination in mammalian somatic cells: a brief note. Crossing over in somatic cells is a likely source of genotypic modification observed in ageing and in carcinogenesis. The possible evolutionary significance of this mechanism is discussed.


The influence of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on the ultrastructural organization of skeletal muscle fibres. Morphometric analyses on vitamin D deficient or calcium deficient growing rats. Ultrastructural evidence was obtained from vitamin D deficient and calcium deficient rats that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is involved in the intracellular calcium transport of the muscle cell. In the absence of vitamin D there was a relative decrease in SR volume and a compensatory increase in mitochondrial volume. Administration of exogenous doses of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol significantly increased SR volume, while mitochondrial volume correspondingly decreased. This supports the hypothesis that the production of calcium binding proteins within the SR is influenced by active metabolites of vitamin D.


The changing urban-suburban distribution of medical practice in large American metropolitan areas. The twenty largest multi-county SMSAs in the U. S. were studied for trends in the suburbanization of medical practice from 1959 to 1974. Fifteen of them allowed a distinction between suburbs and central city on the county level according to criteria developed from a New York City pilot study. In all SMSAs, the density of hospital-based physicians was higher in central cities than in suburbs and still increasing more rapidly there, though hospital practice is also starting to grow in the suburbs at an appreciable rate. The same trends were found for physicians in non-patient care activities. Office based specialists in large Northeastern SMSAs increased much more rapidly in the urbanized suburbs than in the central cities. In the Southern and Western SMSAs, on the contrary, office-based specialists continued to increase rapidly in the central cities despite concentrations already far greater than in the Northeast. Suburban desities were growing more slowly in these areas. General practitioners declined uniformly everywhere, apparently simply by attrition. Implications of these trends for health care are discussed.


Changes in utilization patterns in a National Health Service Corps community. Utilization patterns in two adjacent rural Utah counties were compared over a span of five years (1971-1976). In one, a three-physician National Health Service Corps site was established during the interval; the other went from one family physician to two during the same period. The Corps site showed an increase in physician utilization while the "control" county utilization remained unchanged. However, despite the increased utilization of physicians in the Corps site, fewer respondents identified a family physician, especially one located within the county. This is consistent with an interpretation that county residents were content to use Corps physicians, but saw them as transitory figures with whom they could form no permanent attachment. A second brief follow-up study a year later suggests that the community had already begun to acknowledge the Corps doctors as their family physicians.


Work settings and job satisfaction: a study of primary care physicians and paramedical personnel. This paper examines job satisfaction of primary care physicians and paramedical personnel in traditional office practices and in modern medical organizations. A series of two-way analyses of variance using work settings and occupational level as independent variables showed consistent effects of setting on job satisfaction. In modern organizational settings satisfaction with the work activity, with coworkers, and with income was lower than in traditional practices. Only with respect to income, were physicians, on the average, more satisfied than paramedical workers. The relationships between job satisfaction and the variety and complexity of work as well as ownership of work settings are analyzed and discussed.


Distribution of illnesses and its implications in a rural community. This study is a continuation of a series of reports on the utilization of health care services in a southern rural community. In this investigation the distribution of the utilization of medical care services is assessed with respect to reported illnesses and related disabilities. It is found that whites report significantly more illnesses, disabilities and physicians visits than blacks. Furthermore, even when controlling for disability and illness, whites use more physician services than blacks. The differential in utilization may be due to varying interpretations of the survey questions possibly reflecting different cultures and lifestyles and/or dissimilar expectations of the health care system in blacks having experienced greater barriers to access in the past.


Cerebrospinal otorrhea and recurring meningitis: report of three cases. Recurrent attacks of meningitis occurring independent of a systemic bacterial infection should be considered as a cerebrospinal leak either otorrhea or rhinorrhea. Three cases each with a different cause were diagnosed chiefly on the basis of the history and a bulging noninflammatory eardrum. Subsequent use of fluorescein intrathecally not only helped to confirm the diagnosis but was very useful at surgery in locating the leak in the dura of the oval window of the ear. Many materials have been used but autogenous temporal fascia or fascia lata seemed to be most effective in these cases. The sandwiching of the dura between two pieces of fascia is not only realistic but was found to be very effective. One piece of fascia between the arachnoid and dura and another between the dura and bone give a tight seal.


Laser surgery and immunotherapy in the management of laryngeal papilloma. Twenty-three cases of laryngeal papilloma have been treated and followed for four years utilizing laser excision and laser excision/immunotherapy. Fourteen cases responded well to laser excision alone, nine did not and immunotherapy was instituted as adjunctive treatment. To date, immunotherapy has contributed little to the relief in this group of refractory cases.


Labyrinthine trauma during ear surgery.

Labyrinthine trauma during ear surgery. Surgical trauma inflicted upon the membranous labyrinth is an uncommon, but often catastrophic, complication of chronic ear surgery. Areas most vulnerable to injury are the oval window and the lateral semicircular canal. Methods of injury include subluxation of the footplate, fracture of the lateral canal by drill or chisel, and accidental opening of a fistula. Three cases of labyrinthotomy of the lateral canal during ear surgery are presented. Two occurred while drilling, and the other was associated with a dehiscence of the bony and membranous labyrinth from a cholesteatoma. The cases are documented by pre and postoperative audiograms, vestibular function tests, and photographs. Of interest is the fact that in none of these cases was cochlear function compromised. In one case the hearing actually improved. The dictum that an accidentally opened labyrinth will automatically result in a dead ear is shown to be not necessarily true. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are discussed.


O.P.S.C.: improving delivery of otolaryngological surgical care. Results of over two years' experience with an outpatient surgical center within a private otolaryngology clinic have demonstrated several advantages. Discussed herein are the history of outpatient surgical centers, and the development of our within clinic O.P.S.C. (Outpatient Surgery Center). Developmental stages described include investigation of liability exposure, securing state health department approval, enactment of state legislation, staffing, equipment, and obtaining third party carrier approval. Advantages to the patient, otolaryngologist, community, and third party carriers are enumerated. Statistics regarding types and numbers of procedures performed and types of anesthesia used are included. Experience with the O.P.S.C. indicates that it is a means of improving the delivery of otolaryngological surgical care.


Head and neck manifestations of histiocytic medullary reticulosis. Histiocytic medullary reticulosis represents a proliferation of malignant histiocytes which produce pancytopenia through marrow involvement and the phagocytosis of granulocytes, leukocytes and platelets. The disease is typically characterized by a fulminant febrile course which results in death from a variety of complications due to pancytopenia or intercurrent infections. Its diagnosis is based on bone marrow aspiration or tissue section in which large histiocytes can be demonstrated phagocytizing red or white blood cells and platelets. Therapy has included irradiation, steroids, antibiotics, antimetabolites, and the like, but with poor results. Two patients with head and neck manifestations of histiocytic medullary reticulosis are described in detail. It is felt that refinements in diagnosis must still be made,, since any patient survival may well be predicated by the early initiation of aggressive cytotoxic therapy.


Pediatric tracheostomy and associated complications. A retrospective analysis of 123 pediatric tracheostomies reveals an overall complication rate of 33%. Immediate complications were present in 12% or 15 patients. The most frequent immediate complications were pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. Delayed complications occurred in 24% or 30 patients. The most frequent delayed complications were subglottic stenosis, fused vocal cords, and tracheal granuloma. Four patients died because of tracheostomy-related complications. Age, underlying disease, and prior endotracheal intubation had a high degree of correlation with complications. The use of a mechanical respirator following tracheostomy did not appear to be significantly related to complications. Fifty percent of the delayed complications in this series were regarded as being unrelated to the tracheostomy or the trachesotomy tube itself.


Surgical treatment of tympanosclerosis.

Surgical treatment of tympanosclerosis. During the 5-year period (1971--1976), 45 patients at the Shea Clinic underwent reconstructive surgery for tympanosclerosis. The most common ossicular chain problem was found to be malleus and incus fixation (33%); malleus, incus, and stapes fixation (22%); and stapes fixation (13%). The most successful reconstrucitve approaches included removal of tympanosclerosis from tympanic membrane or isolated plaque from ossicular chain, the use of the Partial Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis (PORP), and the Total Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis (TORP).


Testing for food allergy: a statistical comparison of cytotoxic and intracutaneous tests. This study presents a comparison of in vitro cytotoxic food allergy test results with those of in vivo intracutaneous food allergy testing by both objective serial dilution titration and subjective provocation. During the study the cytotoxic test was utilized as a screening device for follow-up Lee intracutaneous testing, the latter providing statistics for both noted in vivo intracutaneous tests. The study is presented in two stages. The first stage documents almost 6000 comparison test results on 300 consecutive food-allergic otolarynogology patients. Thirty-four of the more frequently offending foods were utilized. Of the cytotoxic tests, 86% resulted in positive reactions. Of the positive cytotoxic reactors, 74% were intracutaneously re-checked. Only those negative cytotoxic reactors suspected of false negativity were so challenged, affording comparison statistics for a smaller 21% of the negative reactors. Poor correlation statistics for this select negative reacting group prompted a follow-up 30-patient study on 11 foods that appeared to possess a lesser potential for hypersensitivity production. The second stage emphasizes similar test comparisons on the negative cytotoxic reactors. The study concludes that no correlation exists between in vitro cytotoxic test determinations and those of in vivo intracutaneous testing by objective serial dilution titration or subjective provocation. Because most allergic individuals have multiple food allergies, clinical success utilizing the information obtained from any or all of these procedures may rely significantly on the tests' inherent tendency to identify multiple guilty foods for ultimate treatment.


Presurgical counseling needs of laryngectomaes: a survey of 78 patients. Studies of candidated for laryngectomy have revealed a wide range of misconceptions about this surgery and its siquellae. To evalute current preoperative counseling practices, counseling deficits, and needs as perceived by the patient and his family, we surveyed all persons who had undergone laryngectomy at this institution since January 1974. The data indicated that present presurgical counseling practices are inadequate for most patients. There was considerable discrepancy between the actual counseling the patients received and what they considered ideal. For example, most received preoperative information only from their surgeons. Yet many indicated that laryngectomy candidates should be counseled by nurses, speech pathologists, recovered laryngectomees, and others. Almost all reported that the spouse should be present during counseling. Many survey respondents indicated that printed materials and/or audiovisual programs would also be desirable.


Speech rehabilitation of a laryngectomized-glossectomized patient. A 58-year-old English speaking female, who underwent total laryngectomy and glossectomy and subsequently learned to communicate verbally via various phonatory and articulatory compensations, is described in this report. Radiologic study and empirical observation showed her to be using the inhalation method to achieve esophageal air charge. Her articulatory compensations were typical of those used by other glossectomized pateints. The extent of her recovery of verbal communication skills through alaryngeal speech suggests that glossectomized-laryngectomized patients with similar impairment might benefit from speech rehabilitation where prognosis and general health permit.


Mediastinal goiter and superior vena cava syndrome. Mediastinal goiter as a cause of superior vena cava syndrome and tracheal compression is rare. A case is presented, the literature is reviewed and the otolaryngologic implications are emphasized.


Metastatic sweat gland carcinoma.

Metastatic sweat gland carcinoma. In summary the diagnosis of malignant non-metastasizing sweat gland carcinoma is difficult. In cases of metastasizing malignant sweat gland carcinomas, one must distinguish this lesion from metastastic breast carcinomas. The regional lymph nodes are the most likely site of metastasis in sweat gland carcinomas. Wide excision of the primary tumor with resection of the involved regional lymph nodes is considered to be the best initial treatment. Cure rates are in general poor, based on the small number of cases and inadequate follow-up.


Alcohol induced changes of carbohydrate metabolism [author's transl]. It is evident that ethanol by itself or one of its metabolites produces alterations in transport, metabolism and disposition of carbohydrates. Ethanol acts via changes in the redox state of co-factors; e.g. ethanol-induced hypoglycemia is due, partly, to the inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis by ethanol as a consequence of the increased NADH2/NAD ratio in patients whose glycogen stores are already depleted. On the other hand, hyperglycemia has also been described in patients with alcoholism. Although its mechanism is still obscure, abnormal hormonal secretion of insulin, catecholamines and glucocorticoids has been incriminated. Finally, structural changes of the liver and pancreas such as cirrhosis and pancreatitis produced by chronic alcohol consumption should also be considered as pathogenetic factors in a variety of clinical states involving deranged carbohydrate metabolism.


[Alcohol induced changes of amino acid metabolism]. The effects of ethanol upon amino acid metabolism represent a complex interaction of ethanol metabolism and its products, nutritional abnormalities and pathological alterations in various organs especially the liver. The effects of chronic alcohol consumption upon amino acid absorption, digestion and transport appear largely of theoretical interest without significant impact on nitrogen balance, hepatic urea or protein synthesis or plasma amino acid patterns. Marked alterations in amino acid metabolism in the liver and other organs are observed in human alcoholics. These result in changes in plasma and tissue levels of amino acids and may explain or contribute to hepatic encephalopathy by altering levels of intermediate products such as catecholamines and neurotransmitters. Plasma amino acid changes due to ethanol may also provide a biochemical marker for the assessment of ethanol consumption in an objective fashion. Amino acid requirements in the diet may be altered in the alcoholic along with lowered protein tolerance. Administration of selected proteins or mixtures of amino acids may provide a means for maintaining nitrogen balance while avoiding or improving hepatic encephalopathy in such patients.


[Alcohol and gastrointestinal tract (author's transl)]. Alcohol drinking induces acute and chronic lesions of the GI tract; some other GI disorders do occur more frequently in drinkers than in other persons. Alcoholics suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, Barrett's syndrome, exophageal cancer and Mallory-Weiss syndrome as well as from hemorrhagic erosive gastritis more often than normal. It is still unsettled if chronic gastritis can be due to alcohol drinking. Alcohol inhibits to some degree the absorption of water, electrolytes, disaccharides and vitamin B12 in the small intestine; it may as well impair intestinal motility and cause diarrhea. Many aspects of the effects of alcohol on the GI tract still remain to be elucidated. The main stay of therapy is abstenence.


Liver lipid alterations in rats fed arginine deficient diets. Arginine deficiency is associated with a marked increase in liver lipids in the rat. Triglyceride accumulation accounts for most of the fatty infiltration. Cholesterol concentration per gram of liver increased approximately 280% above control rats receiving dietary arginine. The percentage of phospholipids was significantly decreased in the arginine-deficient rat liver compared to controls. The fatty acid composition revealed a significant reduction in the reduction in the percentage of palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, and linoleic acids. However, both stearic and arachidonic acids were increased approximately 250 and 160%, respectively, in arginine-deficient livers compared to controls. Arginine deficiency in the rat causes a marked alteration in lipid metabolism similar to that observed with orotic acid feeding. The similarities or arginine deficiency and orotic acid feeding are discussed.


Long and medium chain triglycerides increase plasma concentrations of ketone bodies in suckling rats. The potential of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) and long chain triglyceride (LCT) as sources of plasma ketones was investigated in suckling rats. Initially high concentrations of plasma ketones in 6-, 10, and 17-day-old rats increased 2- to 3-fold after acute feeding of MCT. This feeding had the same effect in fed or fasted adult rats. Corn oil (as a source of LCT) induced a large increase in the plasma ketone concentration of suckling rats and a relatively small but significant increase in fasted adult rats. The LCT treatment did not affect plasma ketone levels in fed adult rats. The results show clearly that feeding either LCT or MCT will enhance hyperketonemia in suckling rats. In the livers of all animals, regardless of age, the capacity for incorporation of [1(-14C)]octanoate into CO2 and acetoacetate far exceeded that for [1(-14C)]palmitate. The hyperketonemic action of LCT in suckling rats was accompanied by an increased activity of carnitine palmityltransferase and increased level of carnitine.


Effects of synthetic and natural lysophosphatidic acids on the arterial blood pressure of different animal species. Intravenous injection of lysophosphatidic acid was found to cause hypertension in rats and guinea pigs, but hypotension in cats and rabbits. The potencies of the pressor and depressor effects of synthetic lysophosphatidic acids in rats and cats depended on their chain length and the degree of unsaturation of their fatty acyl moieties.


[Dietary pattern of workers employed in a 3-shift system]. The studies were performed among 105 workers aged 19 to 30 years, working in a 3-shift-system for at least one year. A questionnaire method of examination was used. Each worker was asked about his usual frequency of meals, sleep time and life routine while working on different shifts, as well as about the consumption of food in the last 24 hours. Usually, regardless of the period of working shift, workers consumed few number 57 meals. Meals during the working time were eaten mostly by morning-shift workers and very rarely by night-shift workers. Comparing calorific values of the meals consumed prior to the working hours at different time of shift work it has been shown that the meals consumed before night shift had the highest values, whereas the meals consumed prior to the morning shift had the lowest values. Generally, the meals consumed by shift workers did not vary and involved a large percentage of meat products, and fats, and too little percentage of vegetables, fruit, milk and dairy products. The food consumed by the workers under examinination contained mainly fats, protein and relatively little carbohydrates and ascorbic acid. Most of the workers preferred morning shift although sleep time was longest in case of afternoon shift. Complaints typical of the night shift included great fatigue and sleepiness. The sleep time was the shortest in case of this shift and sometimes it hardly amounted to 3 hours per day. The obtained results may be used for an elaboration of the lines of most suitably arranged meals schedule for shift and night workers.


[Covariance of the level of activation and work performance as a method of evaluating the work load]. Assuming as proved the claim that there is a relation between the activation level and the results of work performed, which may be presented by means of a curve bearing a reversed "U" shape, it has been assumed that we can think of a work load when there is a negative correlation between these parameters. This assumption has been checked by comparying work load of weaving women operating two different types of looms. As an index of activation level, the frequency heart rate has been taken, whereas the rapidity of work performance and results of interpolated tests (reaction time, centre-punching, dotting, drawing a line and accuracy of observation) have been treated as the indices of capability for work. Differences in the trend of interdependence between these groups of parameters, depending on the type of activity performed and the type of loom under description, have been found, which indicates that this method may possibly be used when evaluating the load as well as pointing out its sources.


[Spectrum character of vibration and clinical form of vibration disease]. 300 workers of metalurgical plant exposed to vibrations were divided according to the chief work tool into the three groups: 1) moulder, 2) mould cleaner and 3) ironworker--grinder. The velocity of vibration was measured and the spectrum of vibrations examined. The product of vibration velocity excesses was evaluated within the following three bands of frequency: 16--63 Hz, 125--250 Hz, 500--2000 Hz and the frequency of occurrence of the two main forms of vibration disease, i.e. angioneurosis and osteoarthrosis was calculated. The osteoarthretic form of vibration disease was significantly more frequent when the multiplicity of surpassing the velocity of vibration occurred with low frequencies (moulders), and angioneurotic form was more frequent at high and very high frequencies. It seems, that "the safe limit" of vibration frequency should be transferred to frequencies higher than 500 Hz.


[Method for evaluating the concentration of alpha radiation potential energy of thorium Rn-220 in the air]. The paper presents assumptions and a description of an improved method for measuring the potential energy of radon decay products in the air. The method is based on the detection of alpha radiation emitted by ThC', in properly selected time intervals after the process of air filtration, i.e. collecting thoron decay products on the filter has been finished. The method has been worked out for various duration of filtration, i.e. 1--15 min, with measuring time intervals from 10 to 180 min. The method obtained is fit for the measurements of concentrations in a wide range of variation. Radioactivity of the deposit is being calculated on the basis of comparative measurements of 239Pu source of known activity. The sensitivity of the method for the most sensitive range is 0.84 . 10(4) MeV/litre per 1 liter of air filtered.


[Nerve conduction in vibratory disease]. Sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities in median and ulnar nerves of both upper limbs were examined in 30 forest-workers, felling trees with the aid of the mechanical saws, and demonstrating symptoms and signs of vibratory disease. A distinct decrease of the conduction velocity of sensory fibres and reduction of the nerve action potential amplitude of the examined nerves were found in these patients in comparison with the control group. Mean motor conduction velocity and distal motor latency of both nerves were included in the norm. No relationship occurs between the length of the work, time and the degree of the disorder of the sensory nerve conduction. The degree of the lesion of sensory fibres depends more on an individual susceptibility than on the length of the work time of workers exposed to local vibration.


[Experimental silicosis. I. Fibrogenic effect of synthetic amorphous silica]. Fibrogenic properties of two dusts of synthetic hydrated amorphous silicas, Ze-O-Sil (French production) and Arsil (Polish production) were studied. Experimental silicosis was induced by intratracheal administration to rats of a single dust dose (50 mg in 0.6 ml NaCl). Fibrogenic properties were tested 3, 6, 9 months after administration of the dust. X-ray diffraction and chemical tests did not reveal any form of crystalline. Si02 in the composition of the investigated dusts. The dusts tested as compared with quartz, were characterized by a great solubility up to 211 mg/l, which made the dust excretion from the lungs easy; after 6 month-experiment approximately 1.2 mg of Arsil dust and about 28 mg of quartz dust residue was found. Fibrogenic properties of Arsil dust, represented by wet lungs weight increase and hydroxyproline content in lungs, were more pronounced than those of Ze-O-Sil. Hydroxyproline content 3 months after administration of Arsil, Ze-O-Sil, TiO2 and weak quartz amounted to 7.3 mg, 5.1 mg, 3.8 mg and 6.0 mg, respectively. Histological and ultrastructural investigations demonstrated that disseminated, multifocal granulomas were the basic reaction to both dusts; no clear histological signs of cytolytic action on the cells of dust granulomas were found. In the lungs no silicotic nodules or degeneration of changes were revealed. Neither biochemical tests nor histological examinations revealed a progressive development of fibrous connective tissue. In result of the studies the authors suggest 2 mg/m3 as a MAC value for Arsil dust instead of 10 mg/m3--the value which has been hitherto used.


[Diagnosis, prophylaxis and certification of occupational hearing loss]. The paper includes some methodical guides for the physicians dealing with hearing protection in noisy industry and diagnosis and certification of occupational hearing loss. The Polish norm PN-77 N-01310 concerning the damage risk criteria, permissible levels of noise on work-posts, role and damping qualities of ear protectors as well as principles pre-employment and follow-up medical examinations are discussed. Apart from the frequency of audiometric tests the author lists in detail the standard conditions of the performance of these tests and their methodology. Then such problems are presented as the clinic of noise-induced hearing impairment, diagnostic criteria and criteria of certification, differential diagnosis and principles of evaluating capability for work in case of those suffering from hearing loss of various degree.


[Effect of intermediate reasons on occupational accidents based on the construction of a large industrial plant]. In the report given one compared the formation of work accidents in the course of building big manufacturing chemical works during the period of two succeeding years. On the basis of the number of registered work accidents as well as clear-sighted observation the author presents a series of intermediate reasons having an effect on the rise of accidents mainly during the last year of building. Both from the contents of the report and from the conclusions drawn ways of preventing their occurrence result.


[Evaluation of neurological status and EEG tests in workers exposed to metallic mercury vapors]. Workers occupationally exposed to mercury vapours were examined. Concentrations of mercury vapours in the air in a plant producing thermometers did not exceed 0.02 mg/m3 whereas in a plant producing electrical lamps they ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/m3. Most of the workers complained of nervous system disorders, especially of headaches, hypersensibility, dyssomnia, paresthesias. Subjective changes in form of some marks of central and peripheral nervous system impairment were found in more than 40% of working women exposed to mercury vapours, whereas in the control group--only in 4%. The symptoms of the central nervous system impairment were more frequent and diversified in the group of women working in the plant producing electrical lamps. In the EEG tests abnormal electroencephalograms amounted to 44.5%. The most frequent changes were of generalized nature (24.0%). Paroxysmal changes in form of the discharge of dysrhythmical function of theta and sharp waves, were found in 16.6%. In the control group changes in electroencephalograms were less frequent and comprised only 15.3% of those tested. Generalized and paroxysmal changes were also less frequent, 10.7% and 4.0%, respectively.


[Phagocytic activity of leukocytes in acutely intoxicated persons]. Evaluation of the reaction of leukocytes in peripheral blood of people suffering from acute exogenic intoxications was undertaken. The examination comprised 47 persons aged 15--72, intoxicated with soporifics, sedatives, carbon monoxide and other substances (ethanol, methanol, lyes). The control group consisted of 26 persons, aged 18--56, in this 10 healthy persons, 10 persons with acute bacterial infections and 6 with viral infections. For evaluation of phagocytic activity of granulocytes a test of the reduction of nitrotetrazoline blue (NBT) was used. Besides the activity of non-specific esterases in monocytes and lymphocytes was determined. The data obtained demonstrated significant differences in the behaviour of the NBT test in granulocytes of acutely intoxicated persons, as compared with healthy people and those suffering from bacterial and viral diseases.


[Establishment of somatic development norms: new methods]. The work presents the statistic method for establishing norms of the "general somatic development". The method is based on experimental investigation of "Chemar" workers in Kielce. For this scale T1, was used which allows to compare different somatic features. The authors state that this model can be used when the best--adjusted curve for the results in the scale T1 fulfils Gauss model. In order to investigate the convergence of particular somatic features with the general somatic development the coefficient H was applied. It was stated that by means of the coefficient H one can determine which features show: very good, good, medium and weak convergence with the general somatic development.


Effect of apomorphine and piribedil on the secretion of thyrotropin and prolactin in patients with primary hypothyroidism. The administration of apomorphine and piribedil, two dopaminergic agents, significantly reduced thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin levels in six female patients with primary hypothyroidism. These data provide further evidence for an inhibitory role of dopaminergic stimulation on TSH secretion.


Experimental cystinuria: the cycloleucine model. II. Amino acid efflux from intestinal and renal tissues. Loading and unloading experiments using intestinal sacs and renal cortex slices were undertaken to ascertain the role of amino acid efflux in cycloleucine-induced amino-aciduria. The presence of cycloleucine, lysine, or valine on the luminal or antiluminal side of the intestine caused an increased leakage of [14C] cycloleucine, [14C] lysine, and [35S] cystine from the tissue. Similar results were obtained when using kidney cortex slices, except for cystine efflux. The latter phenomenon was inhibited by cycloleucine and lysine. Data, also obtained with renal cortex slices, suggest that cystine and cysteine are recognized by different transport sites although one (the oxidized form) may be typically extracellular and the other (the reduced form), intracellular. A comparison of these data with previous works done in our laboratory shows that cycloleucine affects efflux less than influx and further suggests that in rats given cycloleucine, renal transport is impaired only at the brush border level for cystine and at both luminal and antiluminal membranes for dibasic amino acids.


Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia with para-aminosalicylic acid-C: a possible mechanism of action. The effect of para-aminosalicylic acid-C (PAS-C, 8 g/day) on lipid metabolism was studied on a metabolic ward in nine subjects with primary endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. During 2 wk on a basal isocaloric liquid formula diet (40% fat, 45% carbohydrate), PAS-C reduced plasma triglyceride (-41.9 +/- 18.9%, p less than .01, -x +/- SD), cholesterol (-22.8 +/- 12.9%, p less than .005), and a very low density lipoprotein triglyceride (p less than .001) and cholesterol (p less than .01) levels without changing the cholesterol content of low density or high density lipoproteins. Similar effects occurred on a fat-free, 85% carbohydrate diet. Decreases in very low density lipoproteins correlated with changes in both total triglyceride (r = .99, p less than .01) and cholesterol (r = .70, p less than .05). Treatment with PAS-C reduced the plasma triglyceride removal rate related to lipoprotein lipase (-14.6 +/- 14.1%, p less than .02), but did not alter plasma postheparin lipolytic activity or the apparent Km for substrate-enzyme interaction. Kinetic data obtained during the prolonged heparin infusion fit the linearized Michaelis-Menten model for subjects with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. The reduction in the plasma triglyceride concentration during PAS-C treatment was a function of the decrease in triglyceride removal rate (r = .74, p less than .025) without alternation in the maximal removal capacity related to lipoprotein lipase. This suggests that under the steady state conditions of these studies, the decrease in plasma triglyceride concentration was due to a reduction in endogenous triglyceride production. Free fatty acid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, fat absorption, and thyroid function did not change. These results suggest that PAS-C lowers plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels in hypertriglyceridemic subjects reducing endogenous very low density lipoprotein production and/or secretion into the circulation.


Achilles tendon thickness and ischemic heart disease in familial hypercholesterolemia. Achilles tendon thickness (ATT) of 112 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with and without ischemic heart disease (IHD) was measured radiographically and was compared with that of normal subjects. The mean and SD of serum cholesterol in the heterozygotes (107 cases), the homozygotes (5 cases) and the normal subjects (36 cases) were 347 +/- 63, 589 +/- 69 and 187 +/- 30 mg/dl, respectively. The mean and SEM of ATT in the heterozygotes, the homozygotes and the normal subjects were 12.5 +/- 0.4 mm, 18.6 +/- 6.6 mm, and 6.3 +/- 0.2 mm, respectively. Cutaneous xanthomas were observed in 34 out of 112 patients (30.4%). Increased ATT was observed in 95 (84.8%). IHD was diagnosed in 39 (34.8%). The ATT of FH with IHD was significantly thicker than that of FH without IHD (P less than 0.05) and that of normal subjects (p less than 0.001). Thus, the increased ATT evaluated by x-ray was the earliest clinical sign of FH and the measurement of ATT seems to be a useful adjunctive procedure for detecting familial hypercholesterolemic patients and predicting IHD in them.


[Effect of cultivation conditions on the cytochrome system of Candida mycoderma yeasts]. The effect of aeration of the medium, the source of carbon, yeast autolysate and its components (amino acids, vitamins, cytochrome precursors) on the biosynthesis of cytochromes and the ratio between them was studied in the cells of Candida mycoderma. The content of cytochromes b and c increased in the cells at the stationary phase of growth on the Rieder medium regardless of the carbon source and in the presence of elevated concentrations of iron and yeast autolysate (or one of its components, delta-aminolevulinic acid), whereas the content of cytochromes a + a3 decreased. These changes in the content of cytochromes were found in the conditions of strong oxygen deficiency in the medium during the stationary phase.


[Effect of inorganic electron acceptors on the bacterial formation of methane from cellulose]. The effect of nitrate, nitrogen oxide, sulphate, oxidized iron and manganese on the methane fermentation of cellulose was studied with the enrichment bacterial culture. The action of these oxidants on the enrichment culture growing on cellulose was compared to that on a pure methanosarcina culture in order to find out which stage of methane formation from cellulose was inhibited. Nitrate at the concentration of 2 g NaNO3 and more per litre of the medium inhibited the whole process of fermentation; at the concentration less than 2 g/l the production of methane was inhibited, and cellulose decomposition was accompanied with denitrification. Sulphate at the concentration of 2 g MgSO4 per litre had no effect on the formation of methane but the process was inhibited by the product of its reduction, i. e. sulphiade. Cellulose decomposition could be accompanied with sulphate reduction if sulphide produced in the process of the reduction were removed from the medium. In this case as well as in the presence of ferric iron, the production of methane was inhibited due to competition for the reducing agent.


[Carbon assimilation pathways in the methylotrophy of Pseudomonas gazotropha]. The dynamics of label distribution was studied in the products of 14CH3OH assimilation by the cells of Pseudomonas gazotropha Z-1156. Substances to be first detected were glycolate, glycine and those of the chromatogram "start" spot. Later, the radioactivity was detected in phosphorylated compounds and glycerate. Cell extracts of Ps. gazotropha Z-1156 contained ribosephosphate isomerase, phosphoribulokinase and glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase but not ribulosediphosphate carboxylase. Distribution of the label in the products of 14CH3OH assimilation and the presence of active hydroxypyruvate reductase in the extract suggest that the serine cycle is involved in methylotrophy of Ps. gazotropha Z-1156. This suggestion is confirmed by the presence of active formate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, (NADP+, Mn2+)-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase, (NAD, Mg2+)-specific malate dehydrogenase, malate lyase, and isocitrate lyase. The citric acid cycle is open at the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase system. The dry biomass of Ps. gazotropha Z-1156 contains over 70% of protein.


[Carotenoid content and the photoresistence of the energy metabolism system in fungi]. The protective role of carotenoids upon the action of light with regard to energy metabolism was studied in fungi. The energy effectiveness of the interaction between fungi and the environment was found to be more photoresistant in pigmented species than in pigmentless forms. The content of ATP and the values of the respiratory quotient were more stable in this case. Apparently, carotenoids participate in the regulation of fungi respiration in the conditions of illumination with short-wavelength visible light.


[Growth of Micrococcus lysodeikticus bacteria on a deuterated medium]. The object of this work was to prepare deuterated growth media and to adapt Micrococcus lysodeikticus to a medium containing deuterated-substituted organic substances and deuterium oxide instead of water. M. lysodeikticus was grown on a medium prepared from the "deuterated-cells" of Chlorella, and was capable of absorbing selectively protons from such a medium containing high concentrations of deuterium. Its deuterated cells ("monsters") produced structures consisting of several (up to 8) smaller cells, angular in shape and having a thicker (2--3 times) cell wall. Apparently, adaptation to a deuterated medium is accompanied with changes in the cell wall biosynthesis as a result of which the separation of daughter cells is interfered with in the course of cell division, and the cells are more resistant to the action of lysozyme.


[Effect of various nitrogen sources on lipase formation by Rhizopus microsporus]. The effect of organic and mineral nitrogen sources on the production of lipolytic enzymes and the accumulation of biomass was studied with Rhizopus microsporus UzLT-I. Addition of mineral nitrogen sources to the growth medium weakly stimulated synthesis of lipase by the fungus. The production of lipolytic enzymes was highest on media with organic nitrogen compounds, particularly yeast autolysate and fodder yeast cells (0.1: 0.25%). The lipolytic activity of the cultural broth on media with these nitrogen sources increased by 50% cf. the control.


[Variability of the proteolytic activity in the thermotolerant actinomycete, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris]. The thermophilic culture of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris PA-11-4a, like other actinomycetes, is characterized by a high variability. This strain produces protease. The property is maintained if spores are incubated in sterilized distilled water for 30 min after lyophilization and then inoculated onto a solid medium (Petri plates) in order to select small dark-coloured colonies. The activity of protease does not decrease if such colonies are grown on solid media during seven months at 4 degrees C.


[Origin of the oxygen detected by the Viking stations in an analysis of Mars soil]. Reactions between the mineral limonite and hydrogen peroxide were studied and gases produced thereupon were analysed by gas chromatography. Oxygen did not evolve if limonite was added to hydrogen peroxide frozen at a temperature of dry ice. However, at room temperature, a vigorous chemical reaction occurred and a large amount of oxygen evolved. Apparently, the ground of Mars contains not only hydrated iron oxides but also frozen hydrogen peroxide whose thawing in the incubation chamber of Viking resulted in its catalytic degradation under the action of iron ions. The evidence thus obtained and its comparison with the data of American scientists account for considerable evolution of oxygen detected by Viking upon analysis of the Mars ground.


[Extracellular polysaccharides and the taxonomy of yeasts of the genus Lipomyces]. Variations in the composition of extracellular polysaccharides in Lipomyces spp. are discussed in terms of the species differentiation within the genus. Extracellular polymers of certain mycelial lower ascomycetes (Dipodascopsis uninucleata, Dipodascus spp., Endomyces magnusii) were found to be similar, this suggesting a relationship between these organisms.


[Petroleum-oxidizing microflora of the Arctic seas of the USSR]. Active petroleum-oxidizing bacteria of the USSR arctic seas are represented by Mycobacterium mucosum (non-colored), Mycobacterium phlei and Mycobacterium brevicale (red-orange) which inhabit the Yenisei Bay, the Kara Sea and the Laptev Sea. Vertical distribution of the petroleum-oxidizing mycobacteria is characterized by substitution of non-coloured forms for coloured ones with depth: "white" strains are found mainly in the surface layer while red and yellow-orange strains are detected in deep water layers and near the bottom.


[Nature of wine yeast glutamate dehydrogenase inhibition by adenylic nucleoside phosphates]. The mode of inhibition of NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase by adenylic nucleoside phosphates (ATP, ADP, AMP) was studied with Saccharomyces vini. AMP was found to be a competitive inhibitor for glutamate dehydrogenase whereas the action of ADP and ATP was of a mixed character.


[Effect of exogenous acetyl group acceptors on cholinesterase biosynthesis in Arthrobacter simplex cells]. The presence of active acetyl or butyryl groups and their acceptors in the growth medium was found to be necessary for the high rate of cholinesterase biosynthesis in the cells of Arthrobacter simplex var. cholinesterasus. The active acetyl and butyryl groups are formed upon hydrolysis of acetylcholine and butyrylcholine as well as in the course of glucose metabolism. The following acids were shown to be the acceptors of the acetyl and butyryl groups: butyric, succinic, fumaric, malic acids and, to a less extent, alpha-ketoglutaric acid. The active acetyl and butyryl groups are bound with the acceptors under the control of coenzyme A in the reactions of fatty acid synthesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Presumably, CoA regulates cholinesterase synthesis. The high rate of CoA binding in metabolic reactions provides conditions for the intensive synthesis of cholinesterase; the deceleration of these reactions inhibits the biosynthesis of cholinesterase.


Electrode system for permanent implantable defibrillators: transvenous catheter and subcutaneous plate electrodes. The permanently implanted automatic defibrillator offers an alternative treatment for heart patients with high risk of ventricular fibrillation, who cannot be safely treated by surgery or drugs. Because of size and energy requirements, permanently implanted automatic defibrillators are not presently practical for many of these patinets, and sudden death from ventricular fibrillation remains a majof health problem. This study, which determines the optimal electrode configuration of the transvenous catheter when used in conjunction with a subcutaneous plate or disk electrode for transvenous ventricular defibrillation, attempts one of many changes needed to improve the defibrillator's efficiency so that it will be a viable alternative treatment for delicate heart patients.


A review of instrumentation and therapeutic techniques in the diagnosis and management of supraventricular tachycardia. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia can usually be managed without any specific therapy or with an appropriate drug program. Some patients, however, are resistant to conventional therapy. In the past decade, the electrophysiologic pathogenic mechanisms of this rhythm disorder have been elucidated, and this, coupled with progress in intracardiac instrumentation, has enabled the physician to induce specific rhythm disorders and to map them to determine an ideal, specially tailored method of treatment. As a result, the use of radiofrequency pacing and surgery are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, especially those with arrhythmias related to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.


[Indications and use of therapeutic component separation]. Therapeutic component separation: Clinical indications and applications. This original communication describes clinical indications, applications and results of the component separation. We have used the Hemonetics cell-separator designed for a discontinuous separation procedure. By this means component separation was rapid and plasma-exchange efficient, which offers a promising way for symptomatic treatment when a qualitative or quantitative modification of the composition of the blood is wanted (e.g. diminuation of hyperviscosity, modifications of circulating immune complexes, elimination of toxic antibodies and protein bound toxins). Component separation represents a step forward to supportive treatment and immunological reconstitution.


[Treatment results of therapy resistant acute leukemias with 7 cystostatic agents (TRAMPCO-scheme)]. Treatment of therapy-resistant acute leukemia with 7 cytostatics (TRAMPCO) 13 adult patients with acute leukemia, primarily and secondarily resistant to other combined therapy, as well as 2 untreated patients were treated with 7 cytostatic drugs according to the so called TRAMPCO-regimen. 5 complete remissions and 5 partial remissions were obtained corresponding to a degree of response of 66%. The duration of remission was relatively short with 1 to 5 months, in one case more than 6 months. The toxicity of the combined therapy could be tolerated, the personal subjective tolerance was good. The Trampco-regiment therefore represents a realistic possibility in the treatment of acute leukemia resistant to other forms of treatment.


[Long-term results after transluminal recanalization of arterial obliterations (author's transl)]. The study provides information on 22 patients in whom a total of 24 transluminal recanalization procedures were carried out because of obliterations of the A. femoralis superficialis. In addition to 6 primary failures, there were 7 occlusions within 12 hours to 6 months after treatment. Eleven patients were examined 18 to 36 months after surgery. Of these only one patient had a new occlusion. The results are compared with those of other study groups. Morphologic vascular changes are considered to be the cause of the relatively high number of primary failures. The significance of prophylaxis with anticoagulants is pointed out.


[Combined rubber band ligation and cryosurgery of hemorrhoids (author's transl)]. By means of the combined rubber band ligation and cryosurgery of hemorrhoids a good therapy result was achieved on more than 200 patients. For the treatment of not too large hemorrhoid nodes and confluent hemorrhoids the aspiration ligation is quite sufficient. In third degree hemorrhoids, particularly in large prolapsing hemorrhoids, the rubber band ligation should include also the cryodestruction. In some cases two or three weeks later the cryodestruction has to be carried out again, depending on the finding and stage progredience. The advantage of this combined method is that the treatment can be performed on outpatients, and without much pains it is an effective therapy in any kind of hemorrhoid ailments. In addition, the postoperative complaints are less than by using the cryosond only. The application of cryotherapy shows also good results in the case of marriscae and anal fissures.


[Duodenal ulcer of foreign workers (author's transl)]. A comparative study of the patients with a duodenal ulcer in our clinic in the past 3 years has shown a greater incidence of the disease in foreign workers in Germany, aged between 20 and 30 years. This difference concerns men as well as women. The consequences of this kind of ulcer and the possibilities of an indication for operation are discussed in detail.


[Pseudocholinesterase in patients with and without liver diseases (author's transl)]. The activity of plasma pseudocholinesterase (PChE) was determined on admission and prior to discharge from the hospital in 200 patients admitted consecutively to a medical ward specialized in liver and infectious diseases. In 24% of patients without liver diseases and without malignant growths the pseudocholinesterase-activity was below normal on admission but increased during the observation period toward normal values. There was a negative correlation between pseudocholinesterase-activity and the intensity of the inflammatory activity as measured by granulocyte count, ESR, body temperature and IgA. This correlation could be established for patients without demonstrable liver pathology as well as for liver diseases. Elevated pseudocholinesterase-levels were observed only in three cases of toxic liver injury (2 heavy drinkers, 1 case of polytoxicomania). In all patients with malignant diseases subnormal values of pseudocholinesterase were observed. Only one patient had normal pseudocholinesterase-activity on admission, but the pseudocholinesterase decreased within a few weeks to subnormal values as the underlying malignant melanoma progressed. The decrease of pseudocholinesterase-activity in malignant diseases was independent of the presence of liver metastases.


[Cytodiagnosis of pancreatic juice and gall (author's transl)]. In 260 cytologic examinations of pancreatic juice and gall we were able to make a reliable diagnosis in 75%. 90% of the samples were taken before an ERCP. In the cytogram the cells of the gall passages, of the duodenum, and of the pancreas are easily distinguishable. Degenerative pancreas epithelia appear not only in pancreatitis but also in pancreatic carcinoma. 78% of the cases of pancreatic cancer were cytologically positive. By combining cytological examination with ERCP we can attain a large degree of reliability in the detection of cancer.


[A contribution as to the effect of (+)-Cyanidanol-3 in chronic liver disease (author's transl)]. In an open controlled multicenter study the effectiveness of various dose levels of (+)-Cyanidanol-3 (Catergen) in patients suffering from chronic liver disease and treated over a period of 6 months is assessed. Subjective symptoms as fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and pruritus are positively influenced at all dose levels. A statistically significant fall of the transaminases SGOT, SGPT and gamma--GT however occurs only at a dosage of 6 tablets per day (3000 mg per day) of (+)-Cyanidanol-3, which cannot be demonstrated at a dose level of 3 X 1 tablet per day. Between the dosage of 2 X 3 or 3 X 2 tablets per day is no significant difference. Side effects due to therapy could not be observed.


[Arrhythmias in athlets (author's transl)]. 380 athletes in optimal performance were examinated within 10 years between 2 and 13 times (average: 4 times): ECG were taken at rest, during breathing tests and under maximal physical load by ergometry. 88 (23.2%) of them showed arrhythmias, 32 in the same examination different forms of premature beats. All kinds of arrhythmias were seen except atrial flatter, total av-block and paroxysmal tachycardias. Breathing tests provoked most of arrhythmias followed by the recovery after maximal physical load. Follow-up studies and clinical examinations proved that in 86 sportsmen these arrhythmias were not a symptom of heart disease. Only in 2 athletes heart injury could not be excluded. But in nearly 50% extracardial inflammations, like tonsillitis, bronchitis etc., were found. It is discussed that bradycardia and vagotonia of the highly trained sportsmen cause the arrhythmias. This vagotonia is intensified by breathing tests. But arrhythmias found in athletes should cause an examination for other chronical sicknesses.


[Echocaridographic measurements of left ventricle, heart volume, and maximal oxygen uptake (author's transl)]. Echocardiograms, radiological heart volume and datas by treadmill-exercis of 50 endurance athlets were studied. There was a highly significant correlation between radiological heart volume and left ventricular dimension as well as left ventricular volume including stroke volume. Other good relations were found between echocardiographic measurements and maximal oxygen uptake. These findings of left ventricular echocardiographic dimensions compared with heart volume and oxygen uptake support the value of this method and permit its use in the analysis of physiological and pathologic changes.


[Cardiovascular tissue response to intracardiac pacemaking (author's transl)]. With transvenous intracardiac implantation of pacemakers after a few days already a fibrotic wall has developed around the impulse generator by a chronical proliferous process. Where the electrode has been advanced through the vein-wall and in the following veins the cable is wrapped cuff-like by increased collagenous fibres. Frequently these formed an adhesion with the inner vein-wall for quite some distance. Inside the heart, adhesion to the tricuspid valve may lead to insufficiency of this. The incorporation in the myocardium occurs as embedding in connective tissue. Here also chronical proliferous processes occur obviously. The electric conductiveness in the primary thrombo-cellular state after implantation is reduced rather than in late phase of hyaline building. In 12 instances of autopsy, 4 persons died a non-natural death (suicide). In one case, technical failure caused death, and once pulmonary embolism. In the other cases, the basic ailment seems to have been fatal. In four of these 6 instances, the scale of myocardial and endocardial tissue response to the pacemaker have aggravated certainly the prior process of disease. In conclusion, discerning opinions on fitness and safety in traffic and on the limitations of these therapeutical measures are ventilated.


[The effects of atenolol on the heart size, on the heart rate, and on the blood pressure at rest (author's transl)]. Cardiac functions like heart size, heart rate, and blood pressure were studied at rest in 23 digitalized and 24 not digitalized patinents recovering from a myocardial infarction, in 16 patients with arterial hypertension and in 9 patients with regulatory dysfunctions of the circulation before and after a three week period of treatment with 2 x 50 mg or 2 x 100 mg atenolol per day. The heart rate and the blood pressure of every patient were significantly reduced, whereas the heart size which was determined by X-ray in lying patient showed no clear difference. Furthermore, the determination of the heart size facilitates the decision of the additional digitalization when the start of a long-term treatment with beta-blocking agents seems to be necessary in the aforementioned patient groups.


Synergistic interaction between UV and ionizing radiation in wild-type Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A synergistic effect of combined UV and gamma-ray exposure was observed for inactivation of wild-type Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A recombinational repair process, known to be important in restitution of damage induced by both radiations, appears to be involved; a radiation-sensitive mutant defective in this repair pathway showed essentially no synergistic interaction between UV and gamma-rays. Recovery from the synergistic effect of pre-exposure in wild-type cells did not display the expected fast gamma-recovery and slow UV-recovery kinetics previously observed for regain of resistance to further exposure to the same radiation. Rather, UV-irradiated cells recovered quickly from synergistic inactivation on subsequent gamma-exposure, while gamma-irradiated cells recovered UV-resistance slowly. Recovery from synergism thus appears to reflect the nature of the second, and not the initial, radiation.


Control of lambda repressor prophage and establishment transcription by the product of gene tof. Control of expression of the bacteriophage lambda (lambda) repressor was studied by measuring repressor transcription in noninduced and derepressed lambda lysogens. Three distinct modes of leftward transcription were observed from cI and the adjacent  genes associated with the control of repressor synthesis: The prophage or maintenance mode Prm-cI-rex-ti repressor transcript occurs from repressed lysogens; the oop (Po-oop-to) transcript, and the lit (lit-ti) RNA, from the distal half of gene rex, both occur from induced tof+ prophage; the repressor establishment mode of transcription is observed throughout the rex-cI-tof-y-cII-oop interval between Po and ti from induced tof- prophage. The overall level of establishment mRNA synthesis is partially template dependent. However, the actual initiation step for repressor establishment transcription requires the participation of the lambda cIII, cII products, and also either requires the activity of Escherichia coli replication proteins, or is triggered by a replication initiation event. The  cII cIII products do not positively stimulate de novo initiation of establishment transcription, but rather act after an initial replication-dependent step. Initiation of the establishment mode of repressor transcription is totally inhibited by more than 125-fold, in an all or none fashion, by the lambda antirepressor (Tof), the product of gene tof (cro). Since Tof only reduces the in vivo rightward transcription of cII from Pr by about 2-fold, we suggest that Tof inhibits repressor establishment transcription by either uncoupling the replication and cII-cIII dependent events, or by inhibiting the activity rather than the expression of the cIII, cII products. Our results do not fully support either of the present hypotheses that establishment transcription is initiated from the hypothetical Pre promoter in the y-interval, or arises through antitermination of the oop RNA. Since the initiation and control of the establishment mode of repressor transcription parallels the control of lit RNA synthesis, we propose a common mechanism underlies the initiation of these transcripts.


Chloramphenicol resistance in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2): possible involvement of a transposable element. The transfer of a Chl element, causing resistance to chloramphenicol in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), was studied in NF x SCP1- superfertile crosses. When the Chl element is on the donor side (NF) its transfer to the recombinant cells was virtually total as if the element acted as a second concomitant transfer origin. When the Chl element was on the recipient side (SCP1-) it was never displaced by the immigrant chromosome even when the region facing chl+ was selected for. A fraction of the original Chl- mutants presented a requirement for arginine (ArgB-). A Chl- mutant gave rise spontaneously to ArgB- derivatives at high frequency. The same ArgB- requirement come out at high frequency among Chl- derivatives from a cross NFChl- x SCP1-Chl+ in which neither parent required arginine or produced spontaneously arginine-less derivatives. It is suggested that the Chl element is a "transposable element" (Tn) presumably associated with "insertion sequences" (IS). The insertional inactivation of the Chl element may be accompanied or followed by a deletion in the adjacent ArgB gene.


Isolation and characterization of plasmid from the Bacillus brevis var. G.-B. cells. The plasmid designated pAD1 was isolated from the cells of four variants of Bacillus brevis var. G.-B. The plasmid DNA has a molecular weight of about 47.1 x 10(6) daltons and contains 43.4 mole % G+C. The bulk of pAD1 DNA (96--98%) is associated with the fraction of chromosome DNA and membranes. Restriction endonucleases Sma I, Sal I and Bam HI cleaved the plasmid DNA into two, two and six fragments, respectively. The cleavage map of the pAD1 genome has been constructed for these three endonucleases. Restriction enzymes Eco RI, Hind III, Kpn I and Pst I hydrolized the plasmid DNA into 16, 21, 10 and 9 fragments, respectively. The presence of repeated sequences in the plasmid genome was shown based on pAD1 DNA cleavage by these endonucleases.


Separate effect of hydroxyurea on the initiation and elongation of DNA synthesis in BHK cells. BHK21/Cl1 cells, starved for 30 h in serum deficient medium and treated for 15 h with 1 mM hydroxyorea (HO) in order to obtain a synchronous cell population in the G1/S-boundary, incorporate a residual proportion of 3H-thymidine (dThd). This residual incorporation is due to semiconservative synthesis and may not be reduced by increasing the drug concentration without affecting the reversion capacity of the cells proportionally. As shown by autoradiographic analysis, the residual DNA synthesis does not correspond to 3H-dThd incorporation within a small number of resistant cells, but is located in the nuclei of a high proportion of cells with reduced density of silver grains. After treatment with 0.05 mM HU, however, the incorporation of 3H-dThd increases considerably over the control values. The determination of the radioactivity incorporated by microgram DNA corresponding to nuclei in S phase indicates that this concentration of HU is also able to reduce the rate of DNA polymerization. Kinetic data on the appearance of this increased 3H-dThd incorporation and on the accumulation of labelled nuclei in cells growing at random and labelled continuously with the radioactive DNA precursor indicate that HU stimulates the cells to enter the S phase. The reported results are consistent with a mechanism of action of HU which affects initiation and elongation of DNA chains separately.


[Fractionation of human erythrocytes according to their sedimentation behaviour caused by gravity. I. Methodical Investigations (author's transl)]. The usefulnes of a method to differentiate erythrocytes according to their specific gravity introduced by Danon et al. is demonstrated by using blood samples of healthy children and of others with different haematological diseases. Several conditions affecting the results are investigated. For clinical purposes the simple method is only applicable, if the results are presented as intervals of density.


[Diagnostic value of particular symptoms in monosomy X. Evaluated on the basis of experiences with 34 own cases (author's transl)]. Ten cases of monosomy X and caryotype 45,X, and 24 cases of the disorder with various forms of mosaicism are reported. The diagnostic significance of particular stigmata is underlined, and the possibility stressed to demonstrate a hidden pterygium colli by declining the patient's head laterally. Moreover, several peculiarities of individual cases are shown: In three girls with mosaicism, spontaneous puberty was observed, however, in two of them, it was followed by precocious menopause at the age of 14 and 18 years, respectively. The necessity of caryotyping in growth-retarded girls with secondary amenorrhoea or with a ren arcuatus or unilateral solitary kidney is emphasized. High values of urinary gonadotropins in girls without signs of puberty or with precocious menopause, indicate the need for substitution. This therapy leads to the appearence of secondary sex phenomena and menstruation, and at the same time prevents osteoporotic changes.


[Sodium, potassium and magnesium in plasma and erythrocytes during haemodialysis of children (author's transl)]. In 19 children with chronic renal insufficiency sodium, potassium and magnesium in plasma and erythrocytes were measured before and after haemodialysis. Creatinine and the acid-base status were also determined. The mean predialysis values of sodium in plasma were within normal limits, in erythrocytes in the lower normal range. Potassium was elevated in plasma, and in erythrocytes within the normal linits. Magnesium was elevated in both plasma and erythrocytes. The changes during dialysis are described. Statistically significant relations of investigated variables are also described. The results are discussed.


The medical care of mentally retarded persons in public residential facilities. Large public residential facilities have traditionally been society's primary service resource for persons with serious mental retardation. Despite current emphasis on restricting admissions and community placement of retarded persons, approximately 175,000 people continue to reside in 230 institutions throughout the United States. This population is vulnerable to a variety of chronic medical disorders that diminish successful adaptation to a more normal life-style, especially when health services are marginal. Institutional medical staffs have been largely isolated from their physician peers, and their patients have not had access to medical care equivalent to that available in the community. We describe the recent affiliation of a teaching hospital with a Massachusetts institution. We suggest that such affiliations would assure better medical care for mentally retarded persons while increasing physicians' knowledge of attendant medical and societal problems.


Alternative analytic methods for case-control studies of estrogens and endometrial cancer. In a case-control study of estrogens and endometrial cancer, alternative sampling methods were used to eliminate the detection bias that arises from the increased diagnostic attention received by women with uterine bleeding after estrogen exposure. In a set of cases and controls chosen by conventional procedures the odds ratio was 11.98. In an alternative set of cases and controls at the same institution, consisting of patients who had all received dilatation and curettage or hysterectomy because of uterine bleeding, the odds ratio was 1.7. A methodologic analysis demonstrates detection bias arising from the pattern of hospital referral and shows the way in which the bias is neglected or increased by conventional sampling procedures, but reduced by the alternative procedure. The magnitude of the association between estrogens and endometrial cancer has been greatly overestimated because of detection bias; when an appropriate compensation for the bias is introduced, the odds ratio approaches a value much closer to 1.


Red-cell uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity in porphyria cutanea tarda and in other forms of porphyria. To test the diagnostic specificity of reduced red-cell uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity for porphyria cutanea tarda, we measured enzymic activity in 29 normal subjects and 65 patients with various forms of porphyria. Only patients with porphyria cutanea tarda had subnormal enzymic activity. Patients with acute intermittent porphyria, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria and hereditary coproporphyria had normal or slightly elevated activities. The enzymic activity in normal persons and patients with porphyria cutanea tarda did not differ according to sex. Reduction of iron stores did not alter the enzymic activity in porphyria cutanea tarda. We conclude that reduced red-cell uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity is a specific and intrinsic defect in porphyria cutanea tarda; measurement of this enzyme is a reliable diagnostic test for this disease.


Rise in female-initiated sexual activity at ovulation and its suppression by oral contraceptives. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that women exhibit peaks of sexual activity at ovulation, as would be predicted from estrous effects in animals. Married women who used contraceptive devices other than oral contraceptives experienced a significant increase in their sexual behavior at the time of ovulation. This peak was statistically significant for all female-initiated behavior, including both autosexual and female-initiated heterosexual behavior, but was not present for male-initiated behavior except under certain conditions of contraceptive use. Previous failures to find an ovulatory peak may be due to use of measures of sexual behavior that are primarily determined by initiation of the male partner. Women using oral contraceptives did not show a rise in female-initiated sexual activity at the corresponding time in their menstrual cycles, probably owing to the suppression of ovulatory increases in hormone secretion by the oral contraceptives.


On rapeseed meals. Part XXVI. Some remarks on the biological value of rapeseed meal proteins after silage. The influence of propionic bacteria on the biological value of potato-rapeseed meal protein ensilage was investigated. The inoculation of the ensilage with Propionibacterium Petersoni T 112 led to the reduction of the content of goitrogenous compounds (isothiocyanates and oxazolidinethiones) and to an increase of the nutritive value (NPU, PER) of the rapeseed protein. The increase of the protein value is greater by the application of propionic bacteria than by toasting of rapeseed meal.


[Relationship between diet and some risk factors]. The authors evaluated data from the dietary histories of 203 individuals from Sofia and Varna who had been asked identical questions. The results of this investigation show that 42% of these these individuals have no marked liking for a certain diet (group 1), 28% prefer a high protein diet (group 2), 23% are partial to a high carbohydrate diet (group 3), and 6% give preference to a high fat diet (group 4). It was found that the individuals in group 1 showed the smallest deviations from the normal values for serum lipids. Coronary symptoms were most marked in the individuals in group 4, followed by those in the groups 3, 2 and 1. It was stated that men prefer a high protein diet to a greater extent than women. Consumers of alcohol and smokers have no liking for a high carbohydrate diet. Individuals prefering fats and a high carbohydrate diet lack a daily dietary rhythm. The latter also showed marked variations in body weight, i.e., periods of weight reduction and periods of weight increase. The most favourable findings with regard to serum lipids, body weight and dietary rhythm were obtained from individuals with obvious preference for a certain diet, i. e., those with a balanced diet. The present investigation is suited as a model for a more comprehensive epidemiological study.


[Behavior of Ethephon residues on tomatoes. Part I. Green house tomatoes]. The preparation Flordimex, which contains Ethephon (2-chloroethanephosphonic acid) as the active ingredient, is used for accelerating the ripening of tomatoes. During the years 1974--1977, tomato samples from 89 experiments were tested for Ethephon residues. The determination was performed gas chromatographically using alkali flame ionization detector as 2-chloroethanephosphonic acid dimethyl ester; the detection limit of the method was 0.01 mg/kg. The observed results must be evaluated on the basis of the permissible value (1 mg/kg) stipulated for vegetables by the Ministry of Health of the GDR. 1--2 days after the use of concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively, the following mean residue values were found: 0.31, 0.50, 0.39 and 0.91 mg/kg, respectively, which decreased but slowly. This leads to the conclusion that formulation concentrations of more than 0.3% and applications of more than 6 1/ha should not be allowed by the Ministry. In case of repeated uses, 3-week intervals are imperative. Under the above-mentioned conditions of use, the mean residue values determined 4--5 days after application approximated 0.6 mg/kg. This period is to be regarded as a tentative waiting-period that must be respected after the treatment of glasshouse tomatoes with Flordimex.


[Effect of repeated thawing of body samples and of the storage time of excrements on the changes of N-metabolites]. Frozen samples of blood plasma and corpuscular blood constituents from 10 layers were thawed two times at intervals of 36 days (during which they were stored at -30 degrees C) and analysed for changes of the trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble proportion in the total nitrogen. Samples of muscle tissue, liver, and intestine were frozen in liquid nitrogen, stored at -30 degrees C, thawed three times at 36-day intervals and also analysed for TCA-soluble nitrogen. In spite of the low storage temperature, the TCA-soluble proportion in the blood fractions had significantly increased. Proteolysis could hardly be evidenced in muscle protein stored for 108 days and thawed three times. The liver and intestine samples showed significant increases of the TCA-soluble fraction after thawing, repeated freezing in liquid nitrogen and storage at -3o degrees C. In urine samples from colostomized hens, a non-linear increase of the amount of NH3 and a non-linear decrease of the amount of urea were observed after storage for 3, 6 and 12 days at 0 degrees C. The proportion of uric acid-N in the urine N was unaffected by the time of storage. The content of NH3-N in the faeces increased significantly with increasing storage time, whereas that of urea-N decreased. The use of such repeatedly thawed samples for determining N-metabolites is commented upon.


[Contamination by lead and cadmium during smoke drying of cereals]. Direct drying of cereals with diesel oil as a fuel does not increase the lead and cadmium contents. From the viewpoint of food hygiene and in the interest of the consumer's protection, however, it is recommendable to abandon this kind of drying since previous studies have shown that it involves the risk of contamination by cancerogenic hydrocarbons.


The biochemistry of complement.

The biochemistry of complement. Current biochemical studies of the complement system are illustrated by description of the activation of complement by the classical pathway after interaction with antibody aggregates. This is described in terms of the structures of the components involved, their assembly and the mechanism of activation.


A suppressor mutation in the nematode acting on specific alleles of many genes. A suppressor mutation has been isolated in Caenorhabditis elegans through reversion analysis of a muscle-defective mutant. The suppressor mutation acts on specific alleles of at least six genes and in one case we have been able to show that it partially restores functional gene product to a mutant otherwise lacking that product. These and other features of the suppressor suggest that it acts at some step in information transfer, perhaps through mechanisms similar to those described previously in microorganisms.


[Transport catalysis in biomembranes elucidated by the interactions of ADP, ATP-carriers in mitochondria]. A basic issue of biomembranes is their ability to facilitate specific transport of selected molecules. This transport is catalyzed by carriers which are membrane proteins and form, analogous to enzymes, carrier-substrate complexes. The ADP, ATP carrier of mitochondria is highly suitable for elucidating the mechanism of this catalysis due to its unique qualities such as great abundance in higher cells, easy isolation in native state by detergents, existence of inhibitors specific for either the in- or outward looking binding site and direct observation of a carrier-substrate complex. As central catalytic steps, the reorientation of the substrate-binding site at the carrier during translocation across the membrane could be demonstrated at the intact membrane and the isolated protein. The results are interpreted by the gated-pore mechanism where two subunits form a gate with a central binding site which radically change conformation and specificity on transition from one to the other side of the membrane.


Cercaricidal activity of some essential oils of plants from Brazil. Extended screening tests on the cercaricidal activity of various plants from northeast Brazil have shown that the extracts of the leaves and fruits of Piper marginatum, Protium heptaphyllum, and Capsicum annuum show a remarkable effect on the cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni. In the case of the oils of Piper marginatum and Capsicum annuum, 90--96% of the cercaria of Schistosoma mansoni were killed within 15 min. According to the NMR spectra, the active principles of the extracts seem to be water-soluble unsaturated compounds from the oils or their hydrolysis products. Natural substances provide an attractive alternative for preventive actions against schistosomiasis, as the perturbation of the ecological equilibrium of natural waters can be avoided in this manner.


Effect of cannabinoids on the turnover rate of acetylcholine in rat hippocampus, striatum and cortex. The effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), the major psychoactive compound of marijuana, and cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component, on the acetylcholine (ACh) concentration and the turnover rate of ACh (TRACh) have been studied in various regions of the rat brain. Neither delta9-THC doses from 0.2 to 10 mg/kg nor CBD (10 OR 20 MG/KG) alter the ACh concentration in the brain areas examined 30 min, after the intravenous injection. However, delta9-THC (doses from 0.2 to 10 mg/kg) causes a marked dose-related decrease in the TRACh in hippocampus whereas CBD is without effect in this brain region even when 20 mg/kg is given. Furthermore, high doses of delta9-THC (5 mg/kg) and CBD (20 mg/kg) that produce a significant decrease in the TRACh of striatum fail to change the TRACh in parietal cortex. The low doses of delta9-THC required to reduce hippocampal TRACh suggest that an action on these cholinergic mechanisms may play a role in the psychotomimetic activity of delta9-THC.


Inhibition of the in vivo biosynthesis and changes of catecholamine levels in rat brain after alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine; time- and dose-response relationships. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 0.407 mmoles/kg of D,L-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methylester HCl (H44/68; alpha-MT) at eleven time-points between 0--24 h, or 8 doses between 0.013--1.628 mmoles/kg of the drug at 1 h before i.v. injection of 160 micronCi tyrosine-2,6-3H. The rats were killed 15 min after tyrosine-3H and brain alpha-MT, tyrosine and catecholamines (endogenous and labelled), and plasma alpha-MT and tyrosine (--3H) were chromatographically isolated before being assayed spectrophotofluorimetrically (endogenous) or by liquid scintillation methods (labelled compounds). A delayed penetration of alpha-MT from plasma into brain, different elimination rates of alpha-MT in plasma and brain, and decreasing brain/plasma drug concentration on increasing alpha-MT dosages, indicated, that alpha-MT in brain and plasma belong to different pharmacokinetic compartments. The endogenous levels of catecholamines in the time-response experiments, declined to a minimum 4 h after alpha-MT administration, where the dopamine level was 38% and the noradrenaline level 51% of the saline controls. Kinetic data of the catecholamine elimination is given. In the dose-response experiment the decrease in the endogenous catecholamine levels was dose-related up to 0.407 mmoles/kg of alpha-MT, with no further decline on higher doses. The maximal inhibition of brain catecholamine synthesis occurred within 30 min after alpha-MT administration and the inhibition correlated better with the brain than with plasma alpha-MT content. The inhibition was dose-related with a maximal synthesis inhibition of 95% for dopamine and 80% for noradrenaline at the highest dose of alpha-MT. The duration of synthesis inhibition and storage depletion were shorter for noradrenaline (12 h) than for dopamine (16 h). Further, the ED50 for synthesis inhibition of dopamine (0.057 mmoles/kg) was half of the ED50 for synthesis inhibition of noradrenaline (0.117 mmoles/kg). This might suggest different sensitivities towards alpha-MT or different availabilities of alpha-MT in the two neuron populations. At the three highest doses of alpha-MT there were signs of interference with the uptake process for tyrosine from plasma into the brain. This was indicated by increased plasma levels and decreased brain levels of tyrosine (--3H).


The relationship between amphetamine antagonism and depletion of brain catecholamines by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine in rats. The time-course and the dose-response relationship for the antagonistic effect of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester HCl H 44/68 (alpha-MT) on d-amphetamine (10.6 mumoles/kg) induced increase in motor activity was studied. The effect of amphetamine was gradually reduced from 30--60 min to a minimum at 1--4 h after the administration of 0.407 mmoles/kg of alpha-MT. From (4--) 8 h the amphetamine response started to reappear and the original response was restored completely at 16 h after alpha-MT. The dose-response curve showed, that between 0.051--0.41 mmoles/kg of alpha-MT, given 1 h before amphetamine, there was a gradual reduction of the amphetamine response; doses above 0.41 mmoles/kg did not cause any further effect. The antiamphetamine action of alpha-MT was compared with its time- and dose-dependent effects of inhibition of synthesis and reduction of stores of brain catecholamines. It was found, that the antiamphetamine action was more closely correlated with the reduction of the levels of brain dopamine, than with the brain noradrenaline levels. Further, the inhibition of catecholamine synthesis per se did not appear to be a sufficient condition for alpha-MT induced antagonism of amphetamine. These findings support the view that amphetamine is dependent on a substantial portion of the brain pool of dopamine and possibly noradrenaline rather than on very small, newly synthesized pools of these neurotransmitters.


Dependence of intestinal absorption in vivo on the unstirred layer. The appearance rate of butanol, antipyrine, salicylic acid, and urea in the venous blood of rat jejunal loops perfused in vivo is increased up to 64%, if the intraluminal solution is mixed more efficiently by the simultaneous perfusion of air. The enhancement of the absorption can be attributed partly to the enlarged absorbing area but mainly to the reduction of the effective unstirred layer thickness by about 500 micrometers. The unstirred layer reduces the phenylalanine absorption at 0.1 mmol l(-1) but not at 100 mmol l(-1), since at high concentrations a full saturation of the transport system can be achieved in spite of the unstirred layer resistance. The interference of the unstirred layer increases with increasing absorbability of the substances.


[Dynamics of rabbit visual cortex neuron reaction to presentation of repetitive photic stimuli]. Responses of visual cortex neurons to repeated light flashes with frequency of 1 stimulus per 2.5 were investigated in rabbits. Two forms of response dynamics (according to the total number of spikes in the response) were found: "fast" and "slow". 5--15 stimuli were required for the stabilization of the responses of the first form and 50--100 stimuli for that of the second form. About 50% of all the neurons showed stable responses. Partial habituation of responses was revealed in 55--59% of the neurons, sensitizations of discharge in 25% and hump-shared type of the response in 17--20% of neurons. "Slow" dynamic modifications of the responses in most neurons were associated with modifications in the duration of the inhibitory phases in the responses.


[Reactions of neurons in the reticular and ventral anterior thalamic nuclei to stimulation of the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus and motor cortex]. Responses of 137 neurons located in oral parts of reticular (R) and ventral anterior (VA) thalamic nuclei to electrical stimulation of the ventrolateral nucleus (VL) and motor cortex (MI) were studied in 17 cats immobilized with d-tubocurarine. 10.5% of the investigated neurons responded to VL stimulation by antidromic spike (latency 0.7--3.0 ms). 11.0% of the neurons responded antidromically to MI stimulation (latency 0.4--4.0 ms). Neurons with axon sending one branch to VL and the other to MI were found. 78.9% of the neurons responded to VL stimulation with orthodromic excitation (after stimulation of MI this type of response was found only in 52.5% of neurons). 55.6% of R and VA neurons responded to VL stimulation by discharges composed of 3--20 spikes with frequency of 130--530/per second. After MI stimulation discharges of the same type were observed only in 30.5% of the investigated neurons. Inhibition was found in 6.8% of the studied neurons. 55.7% of R and VA neurons demonstrated the convergence of the effects from VL and MI. Corticofugal influences from MI on responses of R and VA neurons to the VL testing stimuli could be inhibitory as well as excitatory.