[Radiotherapy of neuroblastomas. Results in 45 patients]. Treatment results from 45 patients with neuroblastoma are reported. The total survival rate is 29%. In localized stages the survival rate is nearly 100% in patients under one year old and about 50% in patients more than one year old. The survival rate amounts to 50% in stage IV-S, and there is zero survival in stage IV. Comparison with results reported in literature shows the same influences of age, histology and tumor stage on the prognosis. The own results and the reported ones demonstrate that in the majority of the neuroblastoma-patients curative radiotherapy has definite indications.


[Radiotherapy results of nasopharyngeal carcinomas (41 patients)]. 5-year cure rates after radiotherapy of nasopharingeal carcinomas in the own patients are reported. The 5-year cure rate in squamous cell carcinoma is about 30% and in lymphoepithelial carcinoma Schmincke-Regaud about 50%. These results are comparable to those which are published in the recent literature. The base of the skull should be included in the high-dose volume even in T1 and T2 cases.


[Place of radiotherapy in therapy of nose and paranasal sinus neoplasms. Results in 63 patients]. Therapeutic results in patients with cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of the own clinic are analysed together with some results published in literature. In early cases with cancer of the nasal cavity and cancer of the infrastructure of the maxillary antrum, the results of radiotherapeutic or surgical treatment are equal. In all the other cases -- the majority of the patients -- combined treatment with surgery and high-dose radiotherapy is superior to either treatment modality alone. The 5-year cure rates are: in early cases about 60% and in the other cases about 30%. The distribution of stages in our patients from 1963 to 1973 shows that the majoirty is in a more or less advanced stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, comparable to earlier reports.


[Radiotherapeutic results in malignant germinal testicular neoplasms]. The results of highvoltage therapy in patients with malignant germinal tumors of the testicle are reported. The radiation technique applied is mentioned, and problems concerning the formation of metastases as well as the prognosis for seminomas and teratomas are considered.


[Radiotherapy of penile carcinoma, indications and results]. The treatment and prognosis of patients suffering from penis carcinoma who were admitted at the department of radiotherapy of the Kantonsspital Zürich during the last ten years are reviewed. Based on these results which are similar to the results of other centers, we were able to show that primary radiation therapy is to be preferred regarding organ function and survival. Only is a few cases surgical intervention for recurrency was necessary. Indications for radiation therapy of lymph nodes are discussed. The five-year survival rate following primary radiation therapy amounts to 70 or 80% with early stages, a secondary surgical treatment being necessary in 5 to 20%. In more or less advanced stages, a five-year survival rate of 40 to 60% is found after primary radiation therapy, and secondary surgical treatment is needed in 20 to 50%. Thus, survival rates obtained by primary radiation therapy which was followed by an operation only in case of recurrences or tumor persistence are comparable to the recovery rates from primary surgical methods. The advantage of primary radiation therapy is evident in comparison with a surgical treatment: The organ is often saved while the survival rate is the same.


[Carcinoma metastases in neck lymph nodes in occult primary tumor: survival rate depending from localization, stadium, histology and therapeutic method (48 patients)]. In patients with metastatic cancer in cervical nodes without evidence of a primary cancer, radiation therapy eventually supplemented by surgery is indicated. The treated volume should include the regions of the possible primary (pharynx, base of tongue, tonsil) besides the cervical node regions. Five-year cure rates are: about 40% in cases with cervical nodes only, more than 50% in cases with cervical nodes in one region only and not fixed, less than 10% in cases with supraclavicular nodes. In about 30% a primary tumor is found later. About 50% of these primaries is located in the supraclavicular volume and about 50% is located in the infraclavicular volume. In cases with supraclavicular nodes the majority of the primary tumors are located in the infraclavicular colume.


The risk of chronic progressive radiation myelopathy. Five cases of chronic radiation myelopathy (four of the thoracic and one of the cervical cord) are presented together with a short summary of cases already published. The important influence of the fractionation scheme is stressed. A dose not exceeding 4400 rd in the thoracic myelon (20 X 2000 rd, 5 times per week, plus 10 X 40 rd - or 15 X 200 rd plus 15 X 90 rd, 5 times per week, - or 8 X 330 rd, three times per week, plus 15 X 80 rd 5 times per week) is considered to be a safe limit. In view of the scarcity of adequately documented cases of cervical myelopathy, it is recommended to keep dose limits about 10% lower than in the thoracic region and to avoid high single doses in curative treatments. Hypertension may increase the risk of radiation myelopathy (case nr. 5).


Function to represent the variation of central axis tissue air ratio with two dimensions of 60Co rectangular fields. Tissue air ratios (TAR) for rectangular 60Co fields depend on the two dimensions of the field. Functions which make use of the two dimensions of the field as parameters have been derived. The accuracy of fit such functions can give to the standard tissue air ratio data have been studied and discussed.


Variation of CRE with exponents of time and number of fractions. The concept of NSD has been modified into TDF's by Orton and Ellis and CRE's by Kirk et al. It was aimed to study the variability of these new concepts on the exponents of time and number of fractions. It was found that TDF has larger variation with the exponents compared to that of CRE. The use of CRE and NSD for solving the treatment scheduling problems or for intercomparison of various regimes has been simplified by providing readymade estimation of CRE for various doses/fraction with increasing number of fractions. As there is increasing evidence for the change of exponents J and H, nomograms are presented to determine the CRE for various values of J and H. The variation of decay correction factors with the exponent H is also evaluated and is presented. This will help various radiotherapists to use CRE and the decay correction factors consistent with their clinical findings.


Steroids and oxygen solubility.

Steroids and oxygen solubility. Determinations of oxygen solubility in serum were made utilizing various concentrations of corticosteroids in the serum. Within a certain concentration range dexamethasone and betamethasone caused an increase in oxygen solubility. None of the other steroids tested demonstrated this property.


Comparative evaluation of the dissociation rate between the vaginotrophic and uterotrphic activities of 1-hydroxy-1, 3, 5 (10)-estratriene derivatives with natural and unnatural configuration at C8 using ovariectomized mice. Influences on estrogenic.activities of 1-hydroxylation and C8-isomerization in the molecules of naturally occurring estrogens have been studied. All compounds tested behaved qualitatively in the same manner as estradiol, as far as the decrease in the vaginal and uterine sialic acid levels and the increase in the organ weights of the vagina and uterus of castrated mice are concerned. They were, however, different not only in the relative ptoencies of the estrogenic effects, but also in the dissociation rate between the vaginotrphic and uterotrophic activities. Of the compounds tested, 1-hydroxy-8alpha-estrone, 1-hydroxy-8alpha-estradiol and their acetates had a higher value of the dissociation index than that of estriol. These compounds seemed to exert a predominant effect on the vagina rather than on the uterus. Following structural factors seem to be of significance for the dissociation of estrogenic effects: the 1- or 16alpha- hydroxy group and 8alpha-configuration decrease the uterotrophic activity more intensely than the vaginotrophic activity, and the 17alpha-ethinyl group selectively increases the uterotrophic activity.


The use of multivariable standard curves in the radioimmunoassay of testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Multivariable calibration curves have been used to enable testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrostestosterone to be assayed directly in plasma extracts without further pre-purification of the sample. Two antisera were used, both with relatively high, but different affinities for the substances measured, and with relatively low affinity towards all other substances tested. The antisera were obtained from rabbits immunized against testosterone-3-BSA and 5alpha-dihydrostestosterone-3-BSA. The technique was of adequate precision, accuracy and specificity. The last was examined by comparison of values obtained by the present method and those obtained following prepurification by thin layer chromatography.


Rapid and intensive conversion of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol into 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in the male rat anterior pituitary: in vivo and in vitro studies. The in vivo and in vitro metabolism of (3H)-5alpha-androstane-3lapha,17beta-diol by the male rat anterior pituitary was studied. A rapid and intensive conversion of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol into 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone was demonstrated, since following a 30 min. incubation time, 73% of the recovered radioactivity were constituted by 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Studies on the subcellular distribution of steroids showed that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone was the main steroid recovered except from the 105,000 X g pellet. From in vivo and in vitro experiments it was concluded that the transformation of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone into 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol was a reversible process, and that this last steroid could exert its biological action mainly via 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone.


Tritium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Part VI (1). Tritiated steroid hormones. The regio- and stereo-specificity of the labelling in a series of tritiated steroid hormones has been examined by 3H n.m.r., which also yields quantitative information on the distribution of the tritium between the labelled sites. Complete analysis is thus readily achieved non-destructively. Hydrogen chemical shifts for various skeletal sites are provided for the first time. The specificity of the methods of labelling steroids with tritium by catalytic reduction, catalysed exchange, and tritiodehalogenation are discussed.


Statistical survey of "saturation analysis" calibration curve data for prednisolone, prednisone and digoxin. An extensive survey of radioimmunoassay calibration data for prednisolone, prednisone and digoxin indicated that the common practice of preparing calibration curves with individual subject's pre-dose plasma or serum, and using this to estimate unknown concentrations for the same subject, is not supported by statistical considerations. Preparation of calibration plots from pooled data is better because this introduces less bias in estimated concentrations. Such a method also saves a great deal of time, since it is not necessary to repeat the calibration procedure each time, "unknowns" are being assayed. The data suggest that there is no optimum calibration plot for all radioimmunoassays. Rather, each antibody-drug combination should be investigated thoroughly to determine the best calibration plot for the particular combination. We found that the best calibration plots are: the logistic-logarithmic plot for prednisolone; nonlinear least squares fit to a polyexponential equation for nisolone; nonlinear least squares fit to a polyexponential equation for prednisone; and a weighted least squares regression of normalized % bound versus concentration for figoxin. The error in the radioimmunoassay is usually concentration-dependent, and, in certain regions of the standard curve, is larger than the literature indicates, since, frequently, the error has been gauged from % bound values, but should be guaged from inversely-estimated concentrations.


Steroid C-21-hydroxylation by dog adrenal microsomes. 1,2-3H121-Deoxycortisol (1) 1,2-3H21-deoxycortisone and 1,2-3H-17OH-progesterone were incubated separately with dog adrenal microsomes. With substrates concentrations of 30 and 150 nmoles all the substrates were hydroxylated at C-21 to a similar extent. This result suggests that 21-deoxycortisol could be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cortisol provided it is avilable in vivo.


Single-dose four hour dexamethasone suppression test in normal men and its application for the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. As a four hour morning test, plasma cortisol levels were radioimmunoassayed before and at two and four hours after dexamethasone (0, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg or 2.0 mg) was administered at 8-9 a.m. in 20 normal subjects. The 1.0 mg four hour test was most effective in suppression of cortisol and it showed the same suppressibility as the widely used single-dose overnight test. With the 1.0 mg four hour test, 2 patients with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal hyperplasia could be differentiated from normal and obese subjects. The four hour morning test would be more useful than the widely used overnight test from the reasons; i) it shows the same suppressibility as the overnight test, ii) it obviates the need for bothersome midnight administration of dexamethasone, iii) because it takes only one morning to perform, it can save a day, iv) and it might be applicable for the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome because 4.0 mg morning test resulted in complete suppression of plasma cortisol in a tested Cushing's syndrome, whereas with even 8.0 mg, plasma cortisol was not suppressed in the overnight test in 2 such patients examined.


The clinical picture of rabies in man.

The clinical picture of rabies in man. After an incubation period of one to two months rabies presents with non-specific prodromal symptoms and often with paraesthesiae of the bitten area. As in canine rabies there are furious and dumb forms of the disease. In man, furious rabies is characterised by hydrophobia: terror and excitation with spasms of inspiratory muscles, larynx and pharynx precipitated by attempts to drink and by a variety of other stimuli. Hydrophobia may represent an exaggerated respiratory tract irritant reflex with associated arousal potentiated by the selective destruction of brain stem inhibitory systmes. Also typical of furious rabies are intermittent episodes of excitement, hallucinations and maniacal behaviour. Focal neurological abnormalities are surprisingly uncommon. Other signs include hypersalivation, tachycardia and hyperpyrexia. Paralysis and coma supervene after a few days: survival rarely exceeds seven days. Dumb or paralytic rabies is an ascending flaccid paralysis with sphincter involvement and sensory disturbances. Death from respiratory and bulbar paralysis occurs after a longer illness than furious rabies. In a minority of cases hydrophobia develops before the terminal coma. Complications include respiratory arrest, pneumonitis, cardiac arrhythmias and interstitial myocarditis, posterior pituitary disorders, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Differential diagnoses of furious rabies include hysterical pseudo hydrophobia, tetanus, other encephalitides, delirium tremens and various other intoxications. Paralytic rabies may have to be distinguished from postvaccinal encephalomyelitis, poliomyelitis and other causes of Landry-type ascending paralysis. Intensive care has produced some promising results: life-threatening complications can be prevented but there is some evidence that the severity of the encephalitis is the ultimate barrier to survival.


Evaluation of a mass measles immunization campaign in Yaoundé, Cameroun. A mass measles immunization campaign carried out in Yaoundé, Cameroun, has been evaluated. Sixty per cent of the children were immune to measles at the time of the campaign. Only 51% of the susceptible children received vaccine. This was caused by a lack of attendance at the vaccination centres and errors in the selection of children given vaccine. The vaccine administered was relatively ineffective: 40% seroconversion. Difficulties which probably contributed to the low seroconversion rate included sub-optimal vaccine titre, inadequate doses of vaccine, and the relatively long time of vaccine utilization under tropical temperatures. Overall, 83% of the vaccine given to the vaccinating team was wasted. Future immunization campaigns can be improved through better screening of the children, improved handling of the vaccine, the use of marker vaccines, and improved health education.


Epidemiologic study of the modes of spread of viral hepatitis in Greece. We studied the possible correlation of VH morbidity or HBsAg carrier rate with the prevalence of malaria and enteric among the 50 geographical regions of Greece. Malaria was considered as an index of mosquito density and enteric as an index of the local hygienic conditions. Morbidity data on the studied reportable diseases for the period 1954-73 and the HBsAg carrier rate (4-7%) among 17,991 recruits of the Greek Air Force, coming from all the geographical regions of Greece, were used. The statistical analysis of our data showed that VH morbidity (which is mainly hepatitis A) is significantly correlated with enteric morbidity, while HBsAg carrier rate with malaria. Our data support the significance of the role of mosquitoes in the spread of HB at least under the prevailing conditions in Greece.


Enzyme electrophoresis in characterizing the causative organism of Gambian trypanosomiasis. Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) brucei includes three morphologically identical subspecies which are poorly defined by clinical behaviour; T. b. brucei does not infect man, whereas T. b. rhodesiense causes an acute, and T. b gambiense a chronic, disease. Thirty-three isolates of the complex, each of which had previously been identified on clinical or other criteria, were compared by the electrophoretic patterns of two trypanosomal enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT). One particular ALAT pattern clearly segregated a group of human pathogens of which all except one were labelled T. b. gambiense. The exception was labelled T. b. rhodesiense, and in addition three putative T. b. gambiense isolates did not have this pattern; it is suggested that only one presents a serious anomaly. The T. b. gambiense group could also be subdivided by three ASAT patterns which coincided with known groupings based on serological criteria.


Effects of onchoceriasis on settlement in the Middle Hawal Valley, Nigeria. Eight lowland villages in which onchocerciasis is hyperendemic are compared with two upland (low prevalence) control villages in the middle Hawal valley, Nigeria. Detailed demographic data from the hyperendemic villages and from the control villages are analysed. The population was found to be more mobile in the lowland zone, which is also the zone of village desertion. Variables influencing the probability of village abandonment are discussed. It is suggested that onchocerciasis is only a part of a complex of desertion, though probably the most important single element. Particularly in association with remoteness, itself related to onchocerciasis and its troublesome vector, onchocerciasis has been instrumental in depopulating riverain areas and continues to perpetuate their unattractiveness.


Infection of an Aedes aegypti cell line with infectious arbovirus-antibody complexes. Aedes aegypti cells exposed to infectious complexes of WN or YF virus and homologous antiserum produced lower yields of virus over a 10-day observation period than were produced by Aedes aegypti cells treated with a comparable dose of virus mixed with non-immune serum. When Ae. aegypti cells were infected with WN virus mixed with MVE, NTA, DEN-2 or YF antisera the virus yield over 10 days was lower than in cell cultures infected at similar titres with mixtures of WN virus with non-immune serum. If Ae. aegypti cell cultures were infected with mixtures of YF virus and WN or DEN-2 antiserum the resulting production of virus was lower over 10 days than in virus mixed with non-immune serum. Human serum samples from the field were tested for the presence of antibody by preincubation of the serum with WN virus prior to inoculation on to mosquito cell cultures. The results indicated that this method is as sensitive in detecting antibody as a mouse neutralization test using regression analysis of average survival time.


Physiological relationships and circadian periodicities in rodent trypanosomes. Trypanosome circadian rhythms in rats infected with Trypanosoma lewisi and mice infected with T. duttoni (equals T. musculi) were observed. Peak numbers of trypanosomes were recorded at nightfall and fewest organisms seen at daybreak. Reversal of the photoperiod resulted in a comparable reversal of the trypanosome parasitaemia. Periodicities of blood glucose levels and circulating leucocytes were relatively similar in T. lewisi-infected rats to rhythms previously defined in normal aimals. In trypanosome-infected mice, circulating leucocytes had a peak at 1800 hours and were minimal at midnight. Immune serum and epinephrine apparently had opposite effects on numbers of circulating rat trypanosomes; antisera reduced and epinephrine increased the numbers. Increased motor activity appeared to induce increased parasitaemia. Results of these and other studies suggest that in diurnally active hosts, trypanosome periodicities are characterized by increasing numbers in the circulation throughout the day and reach a peak just before darkness. In nocturnally active animals a similar rhythm was observed with only a slight phase change; circulating trypanosomes increased throughout the day and were maximal soon after nocturnal onset.


Ferrokinetics in patients with malaria: haemoglobin synthesis and normoblasts in vitro. Bone marrow cultures in 15 Plasmodium falciparum patients were studied both during and after parasitaemia. Abnormalities were observed only in the group during parasitaemia. These abnormalities included: (1) decreased normoblastic number and cellular iron incorporation in all cases; (2) premature death of normoblasts during their development in the cultures in all cases; (3) defective haemoglobin synthesis in 3 of 11 cases (27%). A causal relationship between defective haemoglobin synthesis and degree of normoblastic destruction in the cultures was found. Marked anaemia and depressed C'3 level were found only in the group with defective haemoglobin synthesis. The significance of these findings is discussed.


The phenotypes En(a-), Wr(a-b-), and En(a+), Wr(a+b-), and further studies on the Wright and En blood group systems. In 1975, we showed 18, 19 an En(a-) blood sample to be phenotypically Wr(a-b-). In the current report, we describe tests that show that three En(a-) members of a single family, not believed to be related to the family of the previously tested En(a-) person, are also Wr(a-b-). They have red blood cells that neither react with nor adsorb anti-Wra or anti-Wrb. In addition, we have shown that the red blood cells of six EnaEn heterozygotes, in the family tested, are Wr(a-b+) but carry only a single dose of Wrb antigen. Tests on anti-Ena have shown conclusively that one example is a mixture of separable anti-Ena and anti-Wrb and that a second example may well contain the same two antibodies. By various methods, we have demonstrated that the red blood cells of the only known Wr(a+b-) individual are En(a+) and do not display any of the physicochemical abberations of the En(a-) phenotype. It is further shown that neuraminidase and trypsin do not denature the Wra or Wrb antigens in vitro, but that the protease ficin does have a limited ability to denature Wrb. Additional observations on the first reported example of anti-Wrb are included. These various findings have been considered in the light of gene linkage of, or gene interaction between, the En and Wright system genes. It is concluded that the evidence does not exclude the possibility that En is a silent allele at the WraWrb locus so that the genotype EnEn (or WrWr) might result in the phenotype En(a-), Wr(a-b-). However, it is also pointed out that the evidence equally well supports the postulation that the Wra and Wrb genes are unable to function in the absence of an Ena gene. If this latter theory is proved correct, the interaction between Ena and the Wright genes can be thought of as similar to that between the H and ABO or X1r and CDE genes. It is pointed out that if En is a silent allele at the MN locus (current evidence on this point is not conclusive,) En and Wr cannot be synonymous for it is known that the Wra and M and N genes segregate independently. Location of En at the MN locus would not, however, refute the theory that Wra and Wrb cannot function in the absence of En. Finally, it is pointed out that the supposed anti-Wrb is probably just what its name implies but that even if this assumption is later disproved, the high incidence antigen defined by the antibody presently called anti-Wrb is unequivocally associated with Ena.


Characterization of three new apparently related high frequency antigens. Three high frequency reactive antisera (Kir, Oca, Mil) are described which, based on serologic and genetic characteristics, identify a set of apparently related antigens. The antibodies react only by indirect antiglobulin technique against both adult and cord red blood cells, are primarily IgG, are not complement dependent nor enhanced by papain pretreatment of red blood cells, are high titered but of low avidity, and are not neutralized by serum nor absorbed by platelets. The antisera are not identical with, but may be related to, the Kna antibody. Population data show reactivity frequencies of 99.8 per cent for Kir, 98.7 per cent for Oca, and 96.4 per cent for Mil. The four phenotypes found are Kir+, Oca+, Mil+; Kir+, Oca+, Mil- Kir+, Oca-, Mil+ and Kir-, Oca-, Mil-. The occurrence of five unrelated triple negative individuals is greater than would be expected by chance alone for three independent antigens. Family studies demonstrate that the triple negative phenotype appears to be a recessive trait not linked to the Fy or MNS loci, and the Mil-trait is not linked to ABO, Jk, or HLA. Clinical observations following infusion of incompatible blood and in vivo survival studies of 51Cr tagged red blood cells indicate that the antigens, though potent immunogens, are not clinically significant.


Serologic activity of fatty acid dependent antibodies in albumin-free systems. Fatty acid dependent agglutinin (FADA) refers to serum with the special ability to cause agglutination of red blood cells in the presence of certain fatty acids. The agglutinating mechanism is unclear. It has been proposed that the agglutinin reacts with albumin that has been conformationally altered by sodium caprylate and that the immune complex is passively adsorbed onto red blood cells. This report presents data that contradicts the proposal assigning a specific role to albumin in the agglutinating mechanism. FADA were isolated by column chromatography of resolubilized euglobulin preparations. No evidence of contamination with albumin was obtained in those IgM fractions possessing FADA activity. We propose, as an alternative explanation, that the serologic activity of FADA depends upon the interaction of IgM agglutinins with haptenic fatty acids.


Blood preservation using metabolic regulators and nutrients: XXI. Further studies on pyruvate and DHA (dihydroxyacetone). CPD-adenine is being adopted in Europe for five weeks for regular blood bank storage and six weeks for emergency use storage. There may be a need to maintain normal levels of 2,3-DPG during this prolonged storage time. In a pilot study from this laboratory, improved 2,3-DPG maintenance was noted with DHA and pyruvate during the fifth and sixth weeks of storage. DHA and pyruvate are relatively unstable in aqucous solutions and in the present study extra care was taken with their experimental use. The additive effect of using DHA and pyruvate together in maintaining 2,3-DPG was confirmed in this study in which significant improvements were seen as early as the seventh day of storage.


Blood storage XXII. Improvement in red blood cell 2,3-DPG levels at six weeks by 20 mM PO4 in CPD-adenine-inosine. Inorganic phosphate has been known to assist red blood cell maintenance of ATP and in the presence of inosine to assist in the maintenance of 2,3-DPG. High concentrations of phosphate, while helping ATP maintenance, were found to be deleterious to 2,3-DPG maintenance in CPD-adenine preservatives. However, in the presence of inosine, concentrations of phosphate as high as 10 mM were advantageous to 2,3-DPG maintenance. The present study extends the observations on ATP and 2,3-DPG maintenance in CPD-adenine-inosine preservatives from the previous 10 mM to 20 mM phosphate. A high phosphate (20 mM) effect has been seen as improved maintenance of 2,3-DPG levels during the fifth and sixth weeks of storage of whole blood at 4C. This supports the previously reported observation of improved maintenance of 2,3-DPG in a 10 mM phosphate preservative. This is ten times the 2 mM phosphate concentration in CPD-adenine. In the low phosphate preservative (2 mM), 2,3-DPG maintenance is less than that in all of the higher phosphate preservatives after the second week of storage. ATP concentrations in this experiment show good maintenance throughout six weeks of storage.


Identification of a C4 Subcomponent on C3d-coated erythrocytes. Test erythrocytes (E) used to evaluate anti-complement (C') antiglobulin sera have not been adequately standardized. This report describes a previously unrecognized C4-derived antigen (temporarily called X-Ag) found on E generally believed to be coated only with the C3d subcomponent of C3, X-Ag occurred on all E coated in vitro with C' by low ionic strength-sucrose or cold agglutinin methods and on E from ten of ten patients whose cells had been C' coated in vivo. It was not removed by incubating these cells with trypsin or fresh compatible serum. This antigen was found on "C4-only-coated" red blood cells made with normal or congenitally C2-deficient serum but not on cells similarly prepared with congenitally C4-deficient serum. It was not identified on E coated with C' via the alternate pathway, normal trypsinized cells, nor cells coated only with IgG. Absorption experiments utilizing purified complement components and subcomponents and G200 Sephadex fractions of normal human serum strongly suggest that X-Ag is a subcomponent of C4(C4d). These results show that at least one C' subcomponent other than C3d occures on both in vitro and in vivo C3d-coated erythrocytes and must be taken into account when such cells are used to evaluate antiglobulin reagents.


Hemagglutination inhibition studies of water soluble blood group substances recovered from the erythrocytes of classical Bombay Oh subjects. Using ethanol and acetone fractionation to isolate soluble blood group substances from red blood cells, 'Bombay' Oh bloods were found to contain variable amounts of concealed H substance. The IgG variety of anti-H in 'Bombay' bloods has a greater affinity for these substances than the IgM variety of anti-H. Group O parents of 'Bombay' Oh subjects were found to have normal levels of H substance, indicating that individuals heterozygous for a recessive suppressor gene 'x' synthesize it normally. In the 'Bombay' family studied, Lewis determinants were abnormally expressed in two members. Lewis activity was detected in the soluble extracts of their red blood cells but not by the direct agglutination test. Further tests using known Le(a-b-) types are necessary to determine whether these findings are linked to the 'Bombay' Oh phenomenon.


Plateletpheresis residues: a source of large quantities of human blood lymphocytes. The residue from single-donor plateletpheresis contains a large number of human mononuclear cells. We have been able to harvest more than 1 X 10(9) viable lymphocytes for laboratory study from the leukocyte-rich sediment that previously had been discarded. Prior to removal by adherence 5 X 10(8) monocytes were also available for future purification, if desired. The physical properties and response to phytohemagglutinin were very similar when lymphocytes isolated from plateletpheresis residues were compared with those obtained directly from veneous blood.


Participation of H-2 regions in heart-transplant rejection. Hearts of newborn mice were cut into small pieces, the fragments transplanted under the ear skin of adult recipients, and the graft survival followed visually (pulsating fragments were considered viable). Donor-recipient combinations were chosen from H-2 congenic (recombinant and mutant) strains in such a way as to provide differences in the entire H-2 complex or in only a small portion of it. The data obtained indicate that a difference between the donor and the recipient in either K, D, or I regions suffices for the rejection of the heart fragments. The rejection is often accompanied by the production of antibodies against classical H-2 antigens (in the case of K- or D-region disparities) or Ia antigens (in the case of I region disparities). In some instances, the antibodies persist in the recipient for more than 50 days. We conclude from these experiments that the same loci that cause acute skin graft rejection (H-2K, H-2D, and H-2I) are responsible for heart graft rejection. Furthermore, we also conclude that serologically Ia-negative tissues may carry Ia antigens in sufficient quantities to stimulate the production of Ia antibodies.


Fibrinolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in open heart sergery. Fibrinolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) have been implicated as the cause or contributing mechanisms for hemorrhage during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Even when unassociated with hemorrhage, both processes have been thought to be common occurences during open heart surgery. In order to measure the degree to which these mechanisms occur, fibrin split products (FSP) were measured simultaneously in blood and chest tube drainage of open heart surgical patients. In addition, serial measurements of platelets and fibrinogen were also measured in the blood of these patients. It is concluded that fibrinolysis invariably occurs to a high degree in the chest postoperatively but with few systemic manifestations and that fibrinolysis and/or DIC are rare causes of a hemorrhagic diathesis after cardiopulmonary bypass.


The genetics of tolerance induction in histoincompatible parabiosed mice. The effect of varying the H-2 complex on the survival of parabiosed mice was investigated using a strain combination known to lead to about 50% long-term survival. While 45.6% of DBA/2J (H-2d) with (DBA/2J x C3H/HeJ)F1 (H-2d/H-2k) parabionts survive to 100 days or more, 69% of DBA/2J with (DBA/2J x C3H.NBSn)F1s (H-2d/H-2p) survive that long; only 16% of DBA/2J with (DBA/2Jx C3H.SWSn)F1s (H-2d/H-2b) survive to 100 days. The plot of hematocrits as a function of time after parabiosis differs significantly between the 45.6% surviving strain combination (which shows the classical pattern of parental polycythemia and F1 hybrid anemia) and the 69% surviving strain combination (which shows no divergence in parental and F1 hematocrit values). Furthermore, the 69% surviving strain combination often (5/14) persists in a chimeric state as judgec by starch gel electrophoresis of rec blood cell lysates; the other two strain combinations show no demonstrable red cell chimerism. The conclusion is suggested that the mechann these two generally successful strain combinations tested, and appears to be a function of the H-2types of the partners.


Use and analysis of saline washed red blood cells. Data collected from 50 saline washed units of red blood cells shows that units washed with one liter of 0.9 per cent NaCl on an IBM cell processor have an average hematocrit of 72.2 per cent, with 84.7 per cent of the white blood cells removed, and only 0.6 per cent of the original total protein remaining. The red blood cell recovery is 85.5 per cent. Other advantages include low extracellular potassium and reduction in supernatant hemoglobin, metabolic waste products, debris, and nonviable cells. Over 1500 washed units have been transfused, with an average of 150 per month. The clinical response has been very favorable with only one suspected reaction reported since the use of washed cells, and no reported cases of hepatitis.


Sterile connector.

Sterile connector. Fabrication of a sterile connector for joining a supply source to an independent delivery location through a contaminated environment requires four design steps: 1) alignment of connector housings; 2) exclusion of the contaminated environment; 3) sterilization of the excluded region; and 4) penetration within the sterilized area followed by coupling of the protected internal conduits. Protective covers for connectors now in use may be modified to provide penetrable terminal barrier membranes that can be joined to exclude the environment. An adhesive containing an antimicrobiologic agent would set the stage for a controlled mechanical penetration of the decontaminated fused barriers. In another design concept, plastic barrier membranes without preliminary adhesions are simultaneously fused, sterilized, and penetrated by a nichrome wire heated to approximately 288 C. A system can be designed that is compatible, at the option of the user, with either of these methods. The more economical mechanical approach could then be used for parenteral fluid therapy while the nichrome wire technique would be reserved for more complex processing methods (frozen erythrocytes) or when storage of the resulting component is a factor.


Effects of diethylcarbamazine on ocular onchocerciasis. A single 10-14 day course of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) was given under betamethazone cover to 18 patients (Group A) with ocular onchocerciasis, and the effects were studied in detail over 1-2 years. A comparison was made with the findings in 21 patients (Group B) who received a similar course to be followed by a weekly suppressive 100-200 mg dose of DEC. A further 18 patients (Group C) served as controls. The initial DEC course provoked severe general reactions, but ocular complications could be controlled by betamethazone. The weekly suppressive dose was not acceptable to the majority of patients, and only one young patient with severe iritis who improved during the initial course took the weekly tablet voluntarily over 2 years. The initial DEC course reduced the numbers of microfilariae in the eye and was of temporary benefit to lesions of the anterior segment, but it did not affect lesions of the posterior segment. A possible adverse effect on the optic disc is discussed. Any beneficial long term effect was almost confined to Group B, and to lesions of the anterior segment. The best to hope for in lesions of the posterior segment was arrest of further development. The findings at the end of the trial were as follows: No. of lesions (see article).


Effects of suramin on ocular onchocerciasis. 39 patients (Group A) with ocular onchocerciasis in the Sudan-savanna of north Cameroon were given 4-6 g of suramin and followed in detail over 1-2 years. 39 other patients (Group B) received suramin followed 2 weeks later by a 6-7 day course of diethylcarbamazine (DEC). A further 18 patients (Group C) received placebo injections and were followed in the same way by the same observers. Suramin caused serious general reactions among the 100 patients who started the course - 1 case of stomatitis, 1 exfoliative dermatitis, and several cases of severe prostration, among which 2 ended fatally. These reactions underline the urgency for further studies on the toxicity of suramin, which is without doubt an efficient macro- and micro-filaricidal drug. Changes which occurred in the ocular lesions are described in detail. There was an initial aggravation of punctate and sclerosing keratitis, and sometimes a serious aggravation or development of anterior uveitis, corresponding to the peak microfilaricidal effect of the drug. The possibility of a simultaneous adverse effect on the optic disc is discussed. Despite these reactions, which might have been avoided by prior elimination of microfilariae by DEC, the eyes were in general quieter at 3 months and thereafter than before treatment. However, no posterior segment lesion improved after suramin, and the majority remained unchanged. The findings at the end of the trial were as follows: No. of lesions (see article).


The use of a molluscicide, in conjunction with chemotherapy, to control Schistosoma haematobium at the Barombi Lake foci in Cameroon. I. The attack on the snail hosts, using N-tritylmorpholine, and the effect on transmission from snail to man. The background and strategy of a campaign to control the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium at the isolated crater-lake villages of Barombi Mbo and Barombi Kotto are outlined. A two-pronged attack was envisaged, using N-tritylmorpholine (Frescon) to control the snail host, and niridazole (Ambilhar) to control the parasite in man. The lake villages and their environs are described. Observations, relevant to control, are recorded on the biology of Bulinus rohlfsi and B. camerunensis. Snail populations were sampled by hand picking, and by the use of basket traps baited with dead leaves. Some experiments on the susceptibility of both snails to S. haematobium are described, together with observations on the strains of schistosome developing in monkeys exposed to cercariae from naturally-infected snails from the lakes. Frescon was applied through a tube to the bottom layers at the edge of the lakes, where the snails lived. Concentrations of 2 ppm down to 0.5 ppm N-tritylmorpholine proved necessary for adequate kills. Intervals of 6 weeks between treatments sufficed to control B. rohlfsi, but applications every 2 weeks were needed for B. camerunensis. The numbers of egg-masses, of snails, and of infective snails of both species were recorded before, during and after Frescon/Ambilhar control; and snail transmission rates and indices have been calculated. Control operations reduced transmission by R. rohlfsi to 2.4% of the pre-control level, or to below the detectable threshold. They were most effective at Mbo, where B. rohlfsi was the only intermediate host. At Kotto, despite excellent B. rohlfsi control, transmission of the residual infections in the human population by B. camerunensis persisted during control operations, until the intervals between Frescon applications were cut to 2 weeks.


Studies on Theileriidae (Sporozoa) in Tanzania. IV. A field trial on immunization against East Coast fever (Theileria parva infection of cattle). Seven cattle, immunized by an infection and treatment method with 3 strains of Theileria parva (Muguga, Kiambu 5 and Serengeti transformed), and five controls were exposed to natural tick infestation in Tanzania, at a site where 2 precontrols had previously contracted fatal East Coast fever within 3 weeks. All controls became infected with fatal ECF within a month of exposure. One immunized animal survived, two died from a Theileria mutans infection and one from a Babesia bigemina infection. The cause of death of the other three animals could not be ascertained, but East Coast fever could not be incriminated. Immunized cattle took longer to succumb than the controls, and serological results showed that all immunized animals became infected with T. parva during exposure, without showing symptoms of ECF.


Splenic radionuclide scanning and sequestration of thermally altered erythrocytes in hepatosplenic sch istosomiasis. Using heat-treated 51Cr tagged red cells radionuclide scanning of the spleen was performed in 17 patients suffering from hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Furthermore, following the injection of the thermally damaged erythrocytes, the disappearance half time of radioactivity was calculated from splenic radioactivity build-up tracings. Out of the 17 bilharzial patients examined, 12 had disappearance half times shorter than the lowest limit obtained in normal subjects, denoting exaggerated splenic trapping of heat-treated red cells. Analysis of the results showed that the rate of trapping of heated erythrocytes was more rapid in patients presenting with bigger splenic enlargement, as well as in those having more marked anemia. This might be taken to indicate a possible link between the occurrence of anemia and the spleen in schistosomiasis. By radionuclide scanning, the bilharzial spleen was bigger than normal. In addition, the splenic shadow appeared to be either oval, triangular or kidney shaped. In 9 patients, the distribution of radioactivity was homogenous, with decrease in the density towards the periphery. In the remaining 8 cases, patchy distribution of radioactivity was observed. Mottling was more marked in the huge spleens as well as in the presence of severe anemia.


The head nodule and ocular onchocerciasis in Africa. In a population survey in 1970/72 the prevalence of head nodules was found to be 1.7% in 1098 cases of onchocerciasis in the rain-forest and 0.6% in 1128 cases in the Sudan-savanna of Cameroon. In a follow-up survey in the same villages 3-4 years later more attention was given to the detection of head nocules, and the corresponding prevalences were 5.5 and 5.0%. In the follow-up survey a strong associated was demonstrated between the presence of head nodules and lesions of both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. The relative risks of having eye lesions in patients with head nodules compared with those without were 2.9 and 7.5 in the rain-forest and savanna respectively. In a group of 483 clinic cases with ocular onchocerciasis from the savanna palpable head nodules were detected in 23.6%, and in a further 140 selected cases from the same area with posterior segment eye lesions, head nodules were detected in 31.4%. Confirmation of the onchocercal origin of the nodules was obtained in doubtful cases by biopsy. Many head nodules probably remain undetected in onchocerciasis surveys. They are often very small, flat, and hard, and tightly adherent to the under-lying periosteum, and the patient will often point out the presence of a nodule even when none has been detected after careful examination. The presence of a head nodule has long been one of the recognized "risk factors" associated with a high prevalence of blindness in Central America, but there have been no detailed studied in African onchocerciasis. A trial is in progress to assess the effect of nodulectomy on the development of ocular lesions.


Seasonal variation in the concentration of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in the skin? Repeated multiple skin snips in 18 persons with onchocerciasis from the Sudan-savanna of West Africa suggested the possibility of a seasonal variation in microfilarial concentrations. This variation may be an evolutionary adaptation of the parasite to the climate conditions that affect the seasonal distribution of the vector, but a migration of the microfilariae in the skin layers caused by the Simulium bites cannot be excluded.


[Adherence phenomena in Trypanosoma congolense (author's transl)]. Two adherence phenomena in Trypanosoma congolense as a possible cause of trypanosome aggregation in the capillaries of certain organs are described: 1. Adherence of trypanosomes to blood cells of nonimmune mice, 2. dovetailing of trypanosome membranes into one another and into the vessel wall.


Erythrocyte adenosine triphosphate levels in cattle infected with Babesia argentina. Erythrocyte adenosie triphosphate (ATP) was estimated in 60 Droughtmaster cattle. The mean was 0.76 mumole/g haemoglobin; standard deviation +/- 0.18; range 0.41-1.45. ATP values were log normally distributed. Repeatability of ATP estimations was confirmed using 10 Hereford cattle. Animal variation in the estimates was double the sampling variation. No significant correlation between susceptibility to B. argentina and ATP was observed in 25 Droughtmaster and 5 Hereford cattle.


[Hybridologic analysis according to polygenic traits]. A method is suggested for hybridological analysis of polygenic characters based on comparing the hybrid generation's arithmetical mean components with genotypic dispersion. The method allows determining the number of genes by which parental forms differ, type and value of the gene interaction. On this basis it is possible to predict splitting off definite genotypes as well as to plan ratiis is available.


Ultrastructure of the sturgeon neurohypophysis. Three types of nerve fibres and their terminals have been revealed in the sturgeon neurohypophysis. Peptidergic A1 and A2 type fibres contain granules 120--200 and 100--160 nm in diameter, resp. Monoaminergic B type fibres have granules 80-100 nm in diameter. Terminals of A2 type predominate in the sturgeon neurohypophysis, A1 and B type terminals are a rarer occurrence. Different stages of exocytosis of the neurosecretory granule content were seen in the A1 and A2 type terminals. It is suggested that neurosecretory granules are the carriers of arginine-8-vasotocin and oxytocin-like polypeptide in A2 and A1 fibres, resp.


[Pollen development in the anthers of several cereal strains and hybrids during cultivation in vitro]. In order to induce androgenesis in vitro anthers of some cereals were cultivated. The highest number of proembryos was obtained in the hybrid Triticale in F3 generation on Blayder's medium supplemented with 3 and 12% sucrose. Proembryos represented multi-nuclear and multicellular formations which stagnated at the globular stage of development. Origin of roots from calluses was not accompanied by formation of buds. There was no formation of embryos from pollen grains in case of lines Triticum aestivum and Secale cereale.


[Nerve and glial cells of the sympathetic ganglia of mice of different ages. I. Interferometric and electron microscopic study of the perikarya of nerve cells of normally developing animals]. The perikarya of sympathetic nerve cells from stellate ganglia of 1.3 and 8 month old mice were studied by interference and electron microscopy. Both the number of nerve cells and the dry weight of their perikarya are the same in animals of different ages. According to the ultrastructure, all the sympathetic neurons of adult mice belong to one of the two main groups. The "dark" cells are characterized by a higher electron opacity of nucleo and cytoplasm, the convoluted nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulum being randomly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. In the "light" cells from ganglia of I and 3 month old mice, the granular endoplasmic reticulum forms a kind of a belt around the nucleus and is situated in the middle area of the cytoplasm. The majority of nerve cells from the ganglia of 8 month old mice, in addition to the increase in pigment granule contents, are characterized by a lower frequency of the rough endoplasmic reticulum without changes in the number of polysomes not attached to membranes.


[Electron microscopic study of nerve tissue elements of the medullary substance of the canine adrenals]. A study was made of the fine structure of myelinated and nonmyelinated nerve fibers in association with the supporting Schwann cells in the adrenal medulla of the dog. The postganglionic sympathetic innervation of adrenal chromaffin cells is proven indirectlining granules (50--200 nm in size) in axoplasma of non-myelinated fibers, mostly in nerve endings on chromaffin cells.


[Fibrillary structures in tumor myoblasts]. An electron microscope study was made of fibrillar structures in various types of cell elements in mice rhabdomyosarcoma. Different stages of myofibril development were followed in such differentiated cell elements as large spindle cells, large round cells and middle spindle cells. In the former two cells, the evolution has riched a stage of bundles of myofibrills with Z-like bands. The highest degree of myofibril maturation occurs in multinuclear myosymplasts. The occurrence of myofibrils being at different stages of evolution within the same cells is characteristic of tumor myoblasts in addition to an excentric unipolarity of cell differentiation and atypical structure of Z-brands. Cytotypical differentiation (myofibrillogenesis in uninuclear cells) may be the case only in those types of rhabdomyosarcoma cell elements which are able to undergo histottypical differentiation (fussion and formation of multinuclear myosymplasts).


[Relationship between crown-gall plant tumors and the cell cycle]. It is established that under conditions of the culture in vitro the greatest amount of crown-gall swellings on topinambur and carrot explants is formed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens inoculation 4 and 6 hrs after the tissue extraction and planting, which corresponds to the G1-phase of the 1st cellular cycle. In the inoculated tissue cells entrance to the S-phase is accelerated and the maximal number of labelled nuclei is found 10 hrs earlier.


[Recovery of continuous cells following prolonged storage at the temperature of liquid nitrogen]. The recovery process of HeLa continuous cells after prolonged storage at nitrogen liquid temperature (--196 degrees C) has been analysed. The karyologic analysis evidence indicates a high stock cell karyostability. A study of cell division, generation cycle parameters and DNA synthesis by autoradiography demonstrated cell adaptation to a continuous passage to be due to the increase of proliferative pool and to the intensitification of generation processes in the multiplicated population. Cell structure changes during adaptation were reversible.


[Familial X-autosomal translocation t (X, 2)]. A loss of part of the short arm of the X-chromosome and a partial trisomy of chromosome 2 were detected in a girl with the Shereshevsky--Turner syndrome; her karyotype was 46, Xt (X,2) (Xqter leads to Xp11 : : 2q36 leads to 2q ter). The patient's mother had a balanced X-autosomal translocation 46, X,t, (X,2) (Xq ter leads to Xp11 : : 2q36 leads to 2q ter; 2p ter leads to 2q36 : : Xp11 leads to Xp ter). The daughter's abnormal X-chromosome was a late labelling one, while her mother had the late label in the normal X-chromosome.


[Autoradiographic study of pigmented murine melanoma]. The growth of the Harding--Passey murine melanoma has been studied. The time of the tumor size doubling was found equal to 29, 45, 108 and 478 hours on days 8, 15, 22 and 30, resp., after melanoma transplantation. Factors determining the retardation of the melanoma growth rate were analysed. The cell cycle duration recorded on different days after the melanoma transplantation (15--30) was practically unchanged (18--21 hours). The value of the proliferative pool diminished from 71 to 51% on days 15 and 30, resp., after tumor transplantation. The cell loss sharply increased from 51 to 93% between 15 and 30 days of tumor growth. Thus, the retardation of the Harding-Passey melanoma growth was determined substantially by a markedly increased cell loss and, to some degree, by a decreased proliferative pool.


[Analysis of breast cell differentiation in tissue culture under the influence of hormones]. Effects of insulin, hydrocortisone and prolactin on cell differentiation were studied in mammary gland tissue culture of pregnant goats. The morphological evidence suggests that the administration of the above hormonal triad during cultivation contributes to the development of "growth zone" around the explantat on the filter and to morphological changes of tissue which become specific of the mammary gland tissue in normally lactating animals. The metabolism of nuclear proteins, DNA synthesis and cell proliferation at the initial stages of epithelium development are demonstrated to be regulated by insulin together with hydrocortisone. The synthesis of milk proteins is influenced by prolactin. The effect of prolactin is realized only in newly-formed postmitotic population of secretory cells.


[Electron microscopic study of glycogen granules in the epithelial cells of human endometrial glands]. At the early secretory stage of the menstrual cycle part of glycogen granules in the human endometrial glandular cells are limited with threelayered membranes 6--9 nm thick. Transitional forms between the above mentioned granules and vesicles derived from the Golgi cisterns were found. On moving away from the Golgi apparatus the density of these granules with the membranes disappearing, thus suggesting that the Golgi apparatus of the human endometrial glandular cells may give rise to beta-particles of glycogen, whose polysaccharid nature is confirmed by amylase digestion.


[Detection of chromosome races among the malarial mosquito Anopheles sacharovi]. Peculiarities of polytene chromosomes of populations of malarial mosquitoes Anopheles sacharovi from the Transcaucasus and Middle Asia were studied. It was established that karyotypes of specimens from the latter region differ from those from the formes in the inversions in chromosomes I and in the left arm of chromosome III. Since all the specimens examined proved to be homozygous towards the above inversions, the populations from the Transcaucasus and Middle Asia are reparated into chromosomal races.


[Transistorized electrometric intensifier for recording low-amplitude bioelectric activity]. An amplifer is described which is intended to register a low amplitude bioelectric activity at intra- and extracellular recordings using high ohm electrodes. The increase of real sensitivity (increase of the ratio signal/noise) is reached selectively for each case by a smooth change of the amplifier frequency band, as well as by applying field transistors with little noise at the output stage of the amplifier.


[Sympathetic ganglia nerve and glial cells in mice of different ages. II. Interferometric and electron microscopic study of the perikarya of neurocytes from a population with a sharply decreased number of cells]. The number of nerve cells in stellate ganglia of mice injected antiserum against the nerve growth factor during the first five days after birth made -- 22%, 19 and 15.5% in 1, 3 and 8 month old animals compared to the control values. The neurons that developed in ganglia with reduced cell numbers are characterized by a higher dry weight of their nuclei and cytoplasm. The ultrastructure of perikaria of such cells has some pecularities different in mice of different age, and are possibly brought about by compensatory changes in the ganglia.


[Sympathetic ganglia nerve and glial cells in mice of different ages. III. Satellite perikaryon cells under normal conditons and following a sharp reduction in the number of ganglionic neurocytes]. Changes induced in perikarial satellite cells by a prolonged increase of the mass and volume of perikaria are studied. The work was fulfilled on the gg. stellatae of adult female mice injected antiserum against nerve growth factor soon after birth (this treatment resulted in an up to 80% decrease of nerve cell bodies per ganglion, accompanied with a significant increase in their volumes). The nerve cell body hypertrophy was followed by hypertrophy and hyperplasy of satellite cells. In addition some prominent changes in the fine structure of satellite cells under experimental conditions were found.


[Inhibition of exogenous lactate dehydrogenase in mammalian ova]. A technique of microinjection of exogenic commercial lactate dehydrogenase into the zygotes of rats has been elaborated. A selective inhibition of exogenous LDH-3, LDH-4 and LDH-5 was registered in the ova-recipients. Attempts to reproduce the selective inhibition of LDH-3, LDH-4 and LDH-5 by a microhomogenate made of zygotes were not successful. The identification of LDH from ovocytes and exogenic LDH was made according to their electrophoretic mobility relative to Bromphenol blue and LDH-1.


[Interaction of aldolase with pigeon erythrocyte plasma membranes]. Osmotically hemolysed pigeon erythrocytes retain a considerable part of the total cell content of aldolase activity. After washing off the ghosts from hemoglobin and removing the nuclei, a considerable portion of aldolase activity is found in the supernatant. The retained part of aldolase is rather firmly bound to plasma membranes (PM), as evidenced by the fact, that double washing with a mixture of 0.3 M sucrose, 0.01 M tris-HCl (pH 7.4) and 0.004 M MgCL2, or with 0.15 M NaCl or H2O does not appreciably decrease the aldolase activity of PM. Only washing of PM with 0.5 M NaCl results in appreciable decrease of aldolase retention by PM. The binding of aldolase proved to be temperature sensitive: after heating the binding of aldolase to PM specifically decreased. These data suggest that the interaction of the enzyme with PM of pigeon erythrocytes occurs in the intact cell and may be of physiological significance.


Sarcoidosis presenting with a pleural effusion. A male West Indian patient developed a pleural effusion without radiographic evidence of intra-thoracic lymph node or pulmonary abnormality. A pleural biopsy showed non-caseating granulomas. The Kveim test was positive. During treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs bilateral pulmonary nodular shadows appeared in the chest x-ray. Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy was stopped and prednisone given. The nodular shadows resolved.


[Changes in nitrogen metabolism in young cattle following ultraviolet irradiation and feeding on urea]. Some indexes of nitrogen metabolism in blood, rumen content and urine of bull-calves fed on urea were studied as affected by UV-radiation. The content of protein, nonprotein, amine nitrogen, urea and ammonia in the rumen content and blood as well as as intensity of urea nitrogen and ammonia excretion with urine were determined. It is established that when 25% of protein necessary for the organism was replaced in the ration by urea, UV-radiation with a dose of 120 merg/h-m2 lowers already at the beginning of irradiation the amount of amine nitrogen and further the protein one in the young cattle rumen content. In blood of the irradiated bull-calves at the beginning of irradiation the level of amine nitrogen decreases, the level of nonprotein nitrogen lowers with a longer irradiation. The content of protein nitrogen in blood at that time increases. It was found that the content of ammonia in the bull-calves rumen during the first twenty-hours lowers, the amount of urea in blood does not change essentially. Simultaneously the ammonia excretion with urine intensifies, at the same time the excretion of urea nitrogen with urine does not differ essentially from that in the control bull-calves. In the bull-calves under study the nitrogen balance and average daily gains increase that may testify to the fact that UV-radiation in the applied dose stimulates a more complete utilization of urea nitrogen for the synthesis processes in the organism.


[Structure and function of hepatocyte lysosomes and peroxisomes of rachitic rats]. The submicroscopic organization and activity of acid phosphatase and catalase in lysosomes and peroxisomes of the rat hepatocytes were studied with experimental rachitis. It is determined that total and free activity of acid phosphatase in the liver tissue and certain lysosomes with rachitis increases whereas the catalase activity in the tissue and certain peroxisomes decreases. Permeability of the lysosome and peroxisome membranes rises for enzymes and cations. The process of peroxisome differentiation with rachitis is disturbed: there appear peroxisomes containing the marginal plates, that is not peculiar to the redont peroxisomes.


[Serum and tissue aspartate and alanine aminotransferases activity of rats with vitamin A deficiency]. The activity of aspartate-(AST) and alanine (ALT) aminotransferases was studied in the tissues and blood serum of rats under conditions of A-avitaminosis. The activity of aminotransferases is established to increase in the blood serum and liver. In the small intestine mucose it drops sharply. The activity of ALT in the heart of the A-avitaminous animals lowers as well whereas AST does not change essentially its activity. Short fasting has no effect on the activity of the mentioned enzymes.


[Effect of exogenous somatotropin on the somatotropic function of the adenohypophysis in thyroidectomized rats]. Exogenic somatotropin increases the body weight gain in the inverse dependence on the taken dose and decreases the weight of the adenohypophysis in direct dependence on the dose in thyroidectomized male rats. The content of somatotropin in the adenohypophysis and incorporation of labelled amino acids into the adenohypophysis rises under the effect of exogenic somatotropin. But when the dose of the latter is increased, these indexes drop.


[Inhibition of cholinesterase activity in the brain of rats by phosphoorganic inhibitors with different degrees of hydrophobia]. The activity of cholinesterase in different areas of the rat brain was studied as affected by two organophosphophorous inhibitors of the enzyme from the group of O-alkyl-S-hexylthiophosphonates, GA-89 and GA-95. Hydrophobity of GA-95 is two order higher than that of GA-89. Under the effect of GA-89 inhibition of cholinesterase in the brain is considerably higher than in blood, under the effect of GA-95 an inverse relation is observed. When both compounds are administered, the activity of cholinesterase in the cerebral cortex is most inhibited.


[Binding of phosphoorganic cholinesterase inhibitors in rat brain tissue]. Hydrophobity (coefficient in distribution in the hexane water system) and the content of cholinesterase organophosphorous inhibitors (OPI) of the structure Ro (CH3) P (O) SC2H4 SC2H5 were studied in the rat brain. When the O-alkyl radical is increased hydrophobity rises and the relative content of free OPI in the brain extracted by chloroform decreases. With an increase in R from the ethyl to butyl one the ability to the  additional inhibition of the brain own cholinesterase lowers due to incubation of homogenate at 37 degrees C, that evidences for an essential drop in the studied series of the free OPI fraction relative to the free OPI extracted by chloroform.


[Production of immobilized alpha-amylase and its properties]. Active immobilized alpha-amylase was obtained when applying AE-cellulose chromatography and glutaric dialdehyde. The time of the enzyme interaction with the carrier, amount of glutaric dialdehyde necessary for binding, optimal enzyme: carrier ratio as well as the methods for desiccation of the immobilized amylase preparations were specified. Conditions are selected for alpha-amylase stabilization with the presence of glutaric aldehyde. Immobilized amylase as compared to free enzyme is shown to be more pH-stable in the acid and alkaline zones of pH (2.0-3.5 and 10.5-12.0), thermostable (within a temperature range of 20-60 degrees C) and resistant to the effect of 5.5 M urea.


[Effect of selenium on the bile-forming function of the liver]. The paper deals with efficiency of sodium selenite in case of acute damage of the liver in rats as well as with its effect on main functions of the liver in norm and pathology, especially on biligenesis, synthesis and secretion of bile acids, bilirubin and cholesterol. The preparation in doses of 1 and 10 Mg per 100 g of weight is established to produce a normalizing effect of intensity of biliation synthesis and secretion of bile acids, secretion of bilirubin and excretion of cholesterol in the animals with the affected liver. The preparation has a cholagogic effect as well. In the healthy rats sodium selenite increases the intensity of bile secretion, intensifies synthesis and secretion of bile acids and bilirubin. A stimulating effect of the preparation on biligenesis is maintained with the liver dystrophy induced by carbon tetrachloride and polychlorines as well. Under these conditions it is manifested to a greater extent than in the healthy animals.


[Effect of ultraviolet irradiation of different spectral composition on cholesterol synthesis in rat skin]. Irradiation of rats with of UV-radiation sources epsilonYB-15, (see article) causes a decrease in the intensity of 2-14C-acetate incorporation into cholesterol of skin and small intestine and simultaneous accumulation of radioactivity in its predecessors, namely in lathosterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol. Thus, it is shown that UV-irradiation of animals inhibits the cholesterol synthesis in skin and tissue of the small intestine. Intensity of cholesterol synthesis inhibition with UV-irradiation of animals depends on the spectral, composition of the acting radiation.


[Effect of C-4'-modification of thiamine pyrophosphate on its coenzyme activity in the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvic acid reaction]. Interaction was studied between pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1) and C-4'-substituted analogs of thiaminpyrophosphate, 4'-N (CH3)-TPP, 4'-N(CH3)2-TPP and OH-TPP. None of these analogs was found to replace TPP during the reduction of NAD and 2.6-dichlorophenol-indophenol as well as pyruvate decarboxylation. The decarboxylase activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component isolated from the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was determined according to the 14CO2 yield and production of 2-C-oxoethyl-TPP using 1-14C-pyruvate and 2-14C-pyruvate, as substrates, respectively. All the analogs were found to competitively inhibit pyruvate dehydrogenase, Ki values for 4'-N(CH3)-TPP, 4'-N(CH3)2-TPP and 4'-OH-TPP being 4.1 X 10(-5) M, 8.5 X 10(-5) M and 2.9 X 10(-6) M, respectively; Km values for TPP was equal to 1-2 X 10(-7) M. It is assumed that the analogs of the holoenzymic complex formed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex with mono-, dimethyl-TPP and oxo-TPP do not bind the substrate.


[Role of muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase histidine residues in thiamine pyrophosphate binding]. The interaction of diethylpyrocarbonate (DEP) with the pyruvate dehydrogenase component (PDH) isolated from the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (EC 1.2.4.1) results in a modification of 3-5 histidine residues per mole of enzyme, which simultaneously decreases the enzyme activity. After PDH inhibilion by DEP in the presence of dithiothreitol almost complete reactivation (94%) under the effect of neutral hydroxylamine is observed. In the absence of SH-groups protection incomplete reactivation by hydroxylamine (79%) is found. In the latter case titration with 5,5-dithio--bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) in 8 M urea showed that the DEP-modified protein contains less quantity of SH groups (by 4-8) as compared to the native enzyme. It is assumed that the DEP-modified SH-groups are not responsible for the enzyme activity. The differential spectrum of the modified and native PDH showed no changes within the range of 260-300 nm. TPP in combination with Mg2+ (10(-3) M) protectes PDH from being inactivated by DEP. TPP (10(-2) M) reactivates PDH by 70% after its complete inhibition by DEP. Similar protective action is manifested by ATP, ADP and inorganic pyrophosphate in the presence of Mg2+. A kinetic study showed a competitive type of PDH inhibition by DEP with respect to TPP. it is concluded that the histidine residues of PDH are involved in TPP binding.


[Determination of fibrin and fibrinogen split products by their anticoagulant activity]. A new diagnostic method to determine fibrinogen and fibrin splitting products is based on the fact that high-molecular fragments acting as specific inhibitors of fibrin self-assembly compose these products. Fibrinogen and fibrin splitting products are detected and determined quantitatively by prolongation of coagulation time in the test with the standard monomeric fibrin. The number of units of anticoagulating activity in the studied urine are the results of the determinations. Sensitivity of the method if necessary may be increased by adding of a certain amount of the fibrinogen and fibrin splitting products to the test that makes a favourable background for the action of the products. The method is rather sensitive, reliable and simple. It may be used in ordinary clinical laboratories. The method proved to be quite satisfactory when testing renal diseases at the clinic. It is of great significance for early detection of the transplanted kidney rejection. The new method is compared with the known immunological method which consist in determination of the inhibitory effect of the fibrinogen and fibrin splitting products on agglutination of erythrocytes of specific antibodies; the erythrocytes being subjected to "tanning" and "loading" with fibrinogen. A satisfactory correlation is found between the results of two methods.


Ureterostomy in situ: technique for temporary urinary diversion. Ureterostomy in situ is a simple technique for supravesical urinary diversion. Although it was described a few years ago, it has not gained wide acceptance. From our experience and with slight modifications, we believe there is a place for this procedure as a method of temporary urinary diversion.


Bethanechol chloride in neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Representative case summaries of patients with different types of neurogenic bladder diagnosed by combined cystometric-perineal electromyography and treated with bethanechol (Urecholine) are presented. Determination of the activity of the periurethral striated muscle in relation to bladder dysfunction is extremely important in the selection of patients for bethanechol therapy. In the absence of structural obstruction, bethanechol can be used in patients with (1) the early phase of coordinated reflex neurogenic bladder and sphincter when there is incomplete bladder emptying due to feeble or unsustained detrusor contractions, (2) recovery phase of spinal shock when the periurethral striated muscle has recovered and is under voluntary control, (3) incomplete motor paralytic bladder with coordinated sphincter, and (4) sensory paralytic bladder with decompensation. The bethanechol regimen will vary in accordance with the type of bladder being treated.


Doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil combination in advanced prostate and transitional cell carcinoma. The suggested activity of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil as single agents in the treatment of advanced prostate and/or transitional cell carcinoma led us to examine the response to these drugs used in combination. Combination chemotherapy has the theoretical advantages of additive antitumor effect without additive toxicity to the host. One of 8 patients with Stage D, endocrine unresponsive prostatic adenocarcinoma achieved an objective response. There were five stable and one subjective responses. Only 1 patient showed progression during the initial six-week trial. Two of 3 patients with transitional cell carcinoma had an objective response. This three-drug combination was well tolerated by elderly patients and on the basis of this small series further trials are warranted.


Bilateral renal carcinoma in von Hippel-Lindau Disease. Von Hippel-Lindau disease, one of the phakomatoses, is believed to be a disorder of mesodermal differentiation. Renal lesions, usually cysts or adenocarcinomas with an occasional hemangioblastoma, occur in approximately two thirds of all patients. The renal neoplasms previously reported have been multiple, bilateral, and usually beyond resection. A thirty-eight-year-old white male with a cerebellar hemangioblastoma and bilateral renal adenocarcinoma underwent suboccipital craniotomy, right heminephrectomy, and left radical nephrectomy. No evidence of recurrent disease can be identified ten months postoperatively. An aggressive approach in this systemic disease appears to be warranted.


Hemangioma of bladder.

Hemangioma of bladder. A twenty-nine-year-old woman had a history of recurring gross, total painless hematuria. The past history and urologic studies supported the diagnosis of hemangioma of the bladder. A partial cystectomy was performed. The pertinent literature is reviewed.


Conservative management of neonatal renal artery embolism. Renal artery thrombosis or embolism associated with the use of an umbilical arterial catheter can cause renin-dependent hypertension in the neonate. The tip of the catheter should therefore be kept well below the origin of the renal arteries and the infant's blood pressure monitored. Moreover, since the pressor hypertension may be transient and kidney function may return, a period of medical management should be attempted before proceeding to nephrectomy.


Perineal seeding of prostatic carcinoma after needle biopsy. The rarity of implantation of carcinoma of the prostate is generally accepted. In the last twenty years, there have been only 6 cases reported in the literature. We add a seventh case which is unique in that the seeding occurred after biopsy and intense radiotherapy was the only mode of treatment. We recommend that a sterilizing dose of radiotherapy be given to the perineum after perineal needle biopsy.


Degenerative myelopathy in three strains of aging rats. Spontaneous paresis and paralysis associated with degenerative spinal cord and spinal nerve root lesions occurred in three strains of rats used in studies of aging. Focal or segmental spinal cord lesions had mild to severe demyelination, loss of nerve axons, and lipid-filled gitter cells. The lesions were limited to the white matter and were most severe in the lateral and ventral funiculi. The nerve roots had cholesterol clefts, focal hemorrhage, and demyelination. Atrophy of the skeletal muscle probably was secondary to the cord lesions. Vertebral lesions that involved the spinal canal and vascular blood flow were found, which may explain pathogenesis.


Squamous cell carcinoma in a cat with intraocular and orbital metastases. A well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma metastasized to the choroid and retrobulbar tissues surrounding the optic nerve sheath in the left eye of a 15-year-old white female domestic cat. The tumor originated either in the external auditory meatus or in the middle ear and extensively infiltrated the neighboring soft tissue and bone.


Malignant intraocular teratoid medulloepithelioma in three dogs. Tumors derived from the fully differentiated ciliary epithelium include adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Many such tumors in animal eyes have been reported. Medulloepitheliomas derived from the primitive medullary epithelium of the optic cup have rarely been seen in animal eyes. A teratoid variant of medulloepithelioma, recently described in human eyes, has also been seen in canine and bovine eyes. These tumors contain tissues resembling brain, cartilage, rhabdomyoblasts, and primitive mesenchyme, in addition to the poorly differentiated neuroepithelial and neuroblastic elements characteristic of malignant medulloepitheliomas.


Thymomas in domestic animals.

Thymomas in domestic animals. A retrospective study of 15 thymomas in domestic animals showed four animals had antemortem signs of dyspnea and grossly visible lumps in the thoracic inlet. The neoplasms were single, multilobulated, encapsulated masses in the anterior mediastinum or thoracic inlet. Cells with clear cytoplasm comprised the bulk of two canine thymomas, whereas the remaining neoplasms had a mixed population of ovoid and spindle-shaped cells. There were lymphocyte populations of varying density in all thymomas. Three thymomas contained structures similar to hyalinized cells and Hassall's corpuscles of normal thymus. Metastatic lesions were not seen but there were implantations on the pericardium in one cat. There was capsular invasion in the ovine thymomas.


Canine leishmaniasis with amyloidosis.

Canine leishmaniasis with amyloidosis. Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a 2-year-old male Great Dane imported from Greece. The clinical signs included anemia, diarrhea, weight loss, proteinuria, and hyperglobulinemia with increases in alpha2- and gamma-regions. At necropsy there was plasma-lymphocytic and macrophage infiltration of spleen, macrophage infiltration of bone marrow, intracellular organisms of macrophages having the ultrastructural characteristics of Leishmania species, and severe amyloidosis of the spleen, liver, and kidney.


Experimental Parelaphostrongylus andersoni infections in white-tailed deer. Gross and microscopic lesions caused by Parelaphostrongylus andersoni were studied in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) infected with large (1000 or 5000) and moderate (200-356) numbers of third-stage larvae. In heavy infections, adult worms caused eosinophilic myositis in the loin and thigh. Masses of eosinophils underwent caseous necrosis surrounded by a granulomatous border. Adult worms, eggs, and larvae were in the lesions. Muscle damage caused by moderate doses was slight. One deer given a moderate dose maintained a patent infection for more than 1 year and was reinfected. Gross lung damage caused by eggs and larvae occurred with both degrees of infection and consisted of firm miliary nodules. Microscopically, the main changes were granulomatous encapsulation of eggs and first-stage larvae in alveolar capillaries, accumulations of eosinophils and mononuclear inflammatory cells in the adjacent alveolar septa, congestion, and interstitial pneumonia.


Hairs causing pulmonary emboli. A rare complication in long-term intravenous studies in dogs. Hair particles as arterial lung emboli were an unexpected side effect in a long-term intravenous toxicity study in Beagle dogs. These emboli led to arterial thrombosis and perivascular granulomas or focal interstitial pneumonitis. The emoblic lesions were not severe enough to cause infarction of the lung. This high incidence of hair embolism was related to a moderate solvent-specific chronic dermatitis at injection sites.


Characteristics of semen changes during Brucella ovis infection in rams. The effect of brucellosis on semen quality in rams was studied by means of artificially infecting five rams with a strain of Brucella ovis isolated in Kenya. Infection resulted in reduced semen quality including reduced total sperm output, poor motility and a high percentage of morphological abnormalities. Variation in semen quality both between and within rams appeared to be related to progress of the disease in the epididymis as well as to the distribution and severity of lesions in the reproductive tract.


The effect of xylazine upon hepatic glucose production and blood flow rate in the lactating dairy cow. The effect of xylazine (Rompun) upon hepatic glucose production and blood flow rate was measured in two cows. Doses of 0-16 or 0-18 mg/kg bodyweight increased blood glucose concentrations by 200 per cent and hepatic glucose production by 400 per cent. Maximum blood glucose concentrations were reached approximately 40 minutes after dosing and did not start to fall until 185 minutes. Concentrations were near normal 24 hours after dosing. The increase in hepatic glucose production was greatest 20 minutes after dosing and production had returned to control rates 150 minutes after dosing. Visceral glucose utilisation was also increased. Blood flow rates in the hepatic and portal veins were reduced to 50 to 60 per cent of their predosing values. It is concluded that the prolonged hyperglycaemia which persists beyond 150 minutes is produced either by continued glucose production from sites other than liver and viscera or by reduced utilisation of the blood glucose by peripheral tissue.


The detection of oestrus in dairy cattle. A survey attempted to determine the extent to which cows are being inseminated when not in oestrus. The method used to check the farmers' diagnoses of oestrus was based on peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations analysed by radioimmunoassay. Of 141 cows examined in this way, a total of 30 (21-28 per cent) showed abnormalities of the progesterone levels. The fertility within this group was very poor with only two of the cows being known to have conceived to the service in question.


Effects of Saffan administered intravenously in the horse. Saffan was injected intravenously on 41 occasions in 11 horses and ponies to investigate its possible use in clinical equine anaesthesia. The optimum dose for induction was 1-90 mg per kg. This dose was divided into two halves, the first half given in five seconds and the second half, containing suxamethonium chloride 0.1 mg per kg, in the next 10 seconds. Induction was associated with excitement for up to 30 secs after the assumption of recumbency. At this dose rate anaesthesia lasted five to eight minutes. Muscle relaxation was poor. Recovery was associated with marked tactile and audible hyperaesthesia. Slight stimulation resulted in twitching and violent kicking movements lasting up to 15 mins. Maintenance with halothane was satisfactory and recovery from this regime was uneventful. Anaesthesia could be maintained with Saffan alone. This agent would appear to offer no advantage over currently used anaesthetic agents in equine practice and to display several marked disadvantages.


The effect of different planes of nutrition before mating on the reproductive performance of Masham ewes. A total of 69 ewes were fed either on a low nutritional plane for six weeks prior to mating and for four weeks postmating (LL), or on a low nutritional plane for three weeks and then on a high nutritional plane (LH), or on a high nutritional plane throughout (HH). Ewes at mating were 49.3, 63.7 and 70.6 kg liveweight respectively and their body condition scores were 1.6, 2.9 and 3.8. There was a significant difference in ovulation rate: LL = 1.53, LH = 2.13 and HH = 2.27, and in lambing per cent: 77, 150 and 186 respectively. Under the system of indoor feeding practised at mating, there was no economic advantage to be gained from flushing, but normally ewes would be flushed outside.


Use of 1alpha-OH cholecalciferol in preventing post parturient hypocalcaemia and its potential value for the prevention of milk fever in dairy cows. Cows which received 250 mug 1alpha-hydroxy cholecalciferol (1alpha-OH D3) intramuscularly within two hours after calving suffered significantly less post-parturinet hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia than control cows. There was a small depression in plasma magnesium concentrations in the treated cows. 1alpha-OH D3 shows potential for the prevention or treatment of milk fever.


Effects of different slaughter methods on bleeding sheep. One hundred and sixteen sheep were slaughtered by five different methods in an attempt to determine the most practical technique which would result in rapid exsanguination without incision of the oesophagus. Techniques which involve stunning prior to slaughter were compared with the traditional New Zealand method by which fully conscious sheep are slaughtered by almost simultaneous severance of the major blood vessels of the neck and the spinal cord at the occipito-atlantal junction. Total amounts of blood lost and rates of bleeding were compared.


Some observations on "paralytic myoglobinuria" of cattle in Britain. Characteristics of 44 outbreaks of "paralytic myoglobinuria" in yearling cattle reported to veterinary investigation centres during 1974 and 1975 are described. The clinical syndrome and associated nutrition and management of cattle are discussed in the light of present knowledge of this disease with particular reference to the diagnostic and epidemiological value of plasma creatine phosphokinase and blood glutathione peroxidase activities.


The use of molybdenum for the prevention of nutritional copper poisoning in housed sheep. An experiment was designed to investigate the practical possibility of incorporating small quantities of molybdenum salts into the high copper diets of intensively fattening lambs to prevent or reduce the gradual accumulation of copper from feed. At slaughter (14 weeks of age) lambs which had received Mo supplement (7.7 ppm Mo) showed liver copper levels which were 40.1 per cent lower than those in the control group which, in turn, presented a mean liver copper concentration near the upper limit of the normal range for adult sheep. Changes in blood ceruloplasmin and SGOT levels and in the comparative rate of accumulation of liver copper indicated that the addition of ammonium molybdate to the concentrate diet might be a useful method of reducing the risk of nutritional copper poisoning in housed sheep.


[Debatable questions concerning the surgery of lumbar osteochondrosis]. Three tendencies exist at present in the surgical management of lumbar osteochondrosis: orthopedic treatment aimed at stabilizing the vertebral segment (the procedure of choice being anterior total disectomy with vertebral intercorporal spondilodesis), neurosurgical treatment striving to decompress the nervous structures clinched by the disc, osteal growth, scars, and a combined management achieving both of the  above purposes. Proceeding from an analysis of two thousand operations performed within 20 years the author concludes that each of the mentioned methods has its merits and indications depending on the stage of osteochondrosis. The neurosurgical procedures appear to be most often used.


[Cranio-cerebral trauma and circadian rhythms of activity of several functions of the hypothalamo-hypophyseo-adrenal system in patients of different age groups]. The circadian rhythms of the androgenic and glucocorticoid activity of the adrenal cortex were examined in 7 patients with concussions of the brain, and in 22 -- with contusions. The excretion of 17-ketosteroids and of total 17-oxycorticosteroids was determined dynamically in separate 6-hour portions of the urine. In cases of brain concussions, both in the initial period of the trauma, and 10--12 days therafter, only a tendency towards increased excretion of corticosteroids during the night and decreased excretion in the morning hours was observed. In brain contusions the rhythm of andorgenic activity was altered. The most significant alterations caused by a severe trauma were observed in the rhythm of the glucocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex: its reduction in the morning hours, and increase during the night. Some 10--12 days after the brain contusions the rhythm of the hormonal activity remained altered, especially in young and middle-aged patients. These peculiarities of the rhythms should be taken into account when prescribing replacement corticosteroid therapy.


[Dynamics of local cerebral circulation in neurosurgical patients during the postoperative period]. The results of local cerebral blood flow examinations were analysed in 20 patients in the postoperative period. The dynamics of the restoration of the vascular responses to functional tests was observed. A study of the changes of the local cerebral blood flow following the administration of Rheopolyglukin demonstrated its high efficacy. The rationale of a combined employment of dehydration drugs and agents improving the rheological properties of blood is emphasized.


[Correlation of the angiographic, ophthalmologic and rheoencephalographic indices of the cerebral circulation in severe craniocerebral injuries]. The results of a study of cerebral haemodynamisc in 54 patients with severe craniocerebral injuries in the acute period and in the course of the lesion are presented. Ophthalmological, angiographic, and theoehcephalographic examinations were conducted. Distinct cerebral blood flow disorders were revealed in various cerebral vessels, consisting in a considerable increase of their tonicity, even as high as spasm, shifts, decelerations of the blood flow. Correlations between the indices of different methods were established.


[Ultrastructure of the cellular patches of the arachnoid membrane of the human brain (concerning the origin of the arachnoid-endothelial cleavages of the cerebral dura mater). Electron microscopic study]. The ultrastructure of cellular spots was studied--growths of the external arachnoidendothelial layer of the arachnoid membrane of the human cerebral hemispheres. The peculiarities of their ultrastructure depending on the stage of their development were revealed. "Young", cellular spots were formed by accumulations of osmiophobic round-shaped cells that are lined from the outside by osmiophilic cells like the whole of the arachnoid membrane surface. "Mature" cellular spots contain great number of oxmiophobic (viable) cells located in a immediate proximity of the subdural space, and they form the main source of viable arachnoidenodthelial cells found in the subdural fluid. The author believes that these cells penetrate together with the subdural fluid flow into the dura mater where, under specific conditions, they may become a source of arachnoidendothelial chippings.


[Neuro-ophthalmologic and otoneurologic sequelae of injuries to the skull and brain]. An examination was conducted in 310 persons surviving injuries of the scull and brain of varying severity. In 146 patients the acuity of vision, pupil reactions, the oculomotor function of the nerves, visual fields and ocular fundus were examined, employing florescent angiography in some cases: and in 164 patients the state of the acoustic and vestibular analyzers was studied. The neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of scull and brain injuries manifested themselves mainly in disorders of the acuity of vision and in alterations of the fields of vision, those of the ocular fundus being less distinct. Injuries of different levels of the acoustic and vestibular analyzers depended on the nature of the injury of the scull bones.


[Prevention and treatment of renal insufficiency in patients with severe cranio-cerebral trauma]. In 147 patients with severe craniocerebral injuries the functional state of the kidneys was examined. The incidence and peculiarities of renal function disorders were studied in such patients. A table is presented for the assessment of the degree of renal function disorders by the values of glomerular filtration and the level of nitrous products in blood. On the basis of the author's personal experience measures of prevention and treatment of renal failure in such cases are described.


[Meningo-cerebral adhesions and the possibility of prevention during plastic replacement of meningeal defects (experimental study)]. A study of the causes and conditions of formation of meningeal adhesions, as well as of the possibilities of their prevention by replacement of the meningeal defects with cold-preserved homografts of fresh auto- and homografts, and synthetic film "Fluoroplast-4", as practised in 50 experiments in 46 dogs, has demonstrated that the adhesive process depends on the presence and intensity of brain and meningeal injuries. The possibility of preventing the formation of adhesions was shown to be independent of the type of the plastic material used. The adhesive processes are equally manifest in all methods of plastic repair. Neither do they depend on the method of connecting the transplant with the edges of the meningeal defect. The employment of the "Cyacrine" tissue adhesive causes grosser adhesions. Alloplastic repair is inferior to homoplastic with suturing the margin of the meningeal defect to the transplant, since it does not permit a tight closure of the subdural space.


[Treatment of neurogenic micturition disorders by section of the pudendal nerves in patients with spinal and spinal cord injuries]. Surgical interventions on the pudendal nerves were undertaken in 16 patients with neurogenic disorders in micturition due to spinal cord injuries on different levels of the latter. The operations were performed after careful examinations of the patients and a preliminary novacain block of the nerves in question. A modified approach to the pudendal nerves was employed. Satisfactory results were achieved in 14 patients: spontaneous micturition was restored, the volume of residual urine was significantly reduced. A stable good result in the late follow-up period was observed in 12 patients.


[Disruption of thermal balance following removal of brain tumors]. The mechanisms of thermal disorders in the early postoperative period in neurooncological patients depend on the degree of irritation of the diencephalic sections. Temperature elevations in cases of a non-complicated postoperative course are caused by a mild irritation of the median formations resulting in a moderate reduction of heat emission and an insignificant elevation of heat production, the former playing the dominating role. Hyperthermia in the postoperative period complicated by the development of the diencephalo-catabolic syndrome is a consequence of severe irritation of the median structures resulting in disorders of thermoregulation, and it is predisposed by a sharply increasing heart production against the background of a significant reduction of heat emission at the expence of distinct disorders in central and peripheral haemodynamics.


[Stereotaxic surgery of temporal lobe epilepsy]. Forty patients with temporal epilepsy were operated on with a stereotaxic technique. Eleven patients had a unilateral localization of the epileptic focus, and in 29 bitemporal foci were diagnosed. In evaluating the results of the treatment the dynamics of the epileptic fits, the peculiarities of changes in the mental status, and the degree of social adaptation were taken into consideration. A postoperative improvement was achieved in 73% of the patients with monotemporal lesions, while in those with bitemporal epilepsy and distinct persistent mental disorders the state was improved in 44% of the cases. Indications for the choice of the zone of destruction depending on the clinical peculiarities of the lesion are presented.


[Effect of parenterally administered protein hydrolysates on the motor function of the stomach and small intestine]. Intravenous administration of proteinic hydrolysates (caseine and aminopeptide hydrolysates) to dogs for a duration of 2 hours debars on active period in the fasting periodic activity of the stomach, this being attended by the stimulation of gastric secretion with pH changing from alkaline or neutral to acid reaction. Introduction of the caseine and aminopeptide hydrolysate did not cancell out the active period of the duodenal motoricity, though the frequency of contractions was somewhat below that in controls.