The influence of some parental characteristics on children's primary abilities and field independence: a study of adopted children. The Children's Embedded Figures Test and measures of V, P, N and S abilities were administered to 5-7-year-old Belgian children (33 boys and 36 girls) adopted early in life. These child variables were correlated with the main factorial dimensions of the adoptive parents' answers on the Parental Attitude Research Instrument and on Buehler's Life Goals Inventory and with the adoptive mother's child-rearing practices, determined through an interview. The PARI dimensions were unrelated to children's test performances. Reinforcement of competition and independence, an interview variable, was significantly related to several ability measures and to the CEFT, especially in girls. The significant correlations of some LGI dimensions with boys' and/or girls' primary abilities were interpreted by referring to the influence on the development of children's abilities of a future-oriented attitude toward learning and memory and of a warm parent-child interaction.


Radial localization of odors by human newborns. To study sensitivity to radial location of an odor source, 20 human newborns, ranging from 16 to 130 hours of age, were presented with a small amount of ammonium hydroxide. The odor source was placed near the nose slightly to the left or right of midline, with its position randomized over repeated trails. Direction of headturn with respect to the odor location and diffuse motor activity were scored from the videotape recordings of the newborns' behavior. It was found that as a group, the newborns turned away from the odor source more frequently than they turned toward it. The tendency to turn away from the odor was stronger in infants who displayed less motor activity after the response. Newborns also exhibited a right bias in the direction of the head movements. It is concluded that a spatially appropriate avoidance response is present in the neonate and that the newborn is innately sensitive to the radial location of an odor.


Infant visual acuity as a function of viewing distance. Dynamic retinoscopy has suggested that near vision may be more acute than far vision during early infancy. To test this, acuity thresholds were determined by presenting square wave gratings in a preference paradigm to 1- and 2-month-old human infants at 4 viewing distances. Gratings were paired with unpatterned fields; direction of first fixation was the dependent measure. Infants exhibited the same acuity at each of the distances at which gratings were presented. The results were interpreted as compatible with the fact that considerable optical defocusing does not seriously affect a visual system, such as the infant's, that is sensitive only to low spatial frequencies.


The coordination of manipulation and visual fixation: a response to Schaffer (1975). The present study was conducted to clarify the issues raised by Schaffer and Rubenstein about perceptual-motor integration in 6-month-old infants. The visual and motor responses to novel and familiar stimuli were measured in 12 6-month-old infants, using new measures of integration and concordance. The results indicate that the infants' responses to the stimuli were both integrated and concordant. Schaffer's conclusions, which are based on studies that show changes from 6 to 9 months of age, are discussed in light of the findings of the present study.


Action imitation: the early phase of infancy. The early phase of imitation was studied in children between 6 and 18 months by means of the presentations of 22 actions. Comparison groups were used to assess spontaneous production of actions modeled for the treatment samples. Aanalyses yielded 4 clusters of actions, with 1 cluster showing age and treatment versus comparison group effects and others failing to show both these effects.  An important factor affecting imitation was the presence of objects. Actions with objects were imitated more than actions without objects. Measures of attention were found to correlate with imitation level, wheras latency was inversely related to imitation. The presence of sound as a variable that potentially influences imitation was studied, but results were inconclusive. Moreover, imitation and object concept performance were unrelated when the factor of age was controlled.


Preference for color and form in preschoolers as related to color and form differentiation. The preference for color or form as bases for similarity judgements among preschoolers (ages 2-5) and its relationship to the differentiation of form and color concepts as indexed by discrimination, identification, and labeling were investigated. As hypothesized, an early stage of form preference was found, replicating Brian and Goodenough's results. This was followed by the often-reported color preference and subsequent shift to form preference. A second hypothesis-that the relative salience of a dimension develops in parallel to its relative degree of differentiation-was not supported. This was so despite the fact that, within age groups, individuals who displayed higher proficiency in one dimension that in the other also preferred that dimension over the other. Implications for for existing explanations of developmental trends in preference were discussed.


Neonatal characteristics and mother-infant interaction in two observational situations. 134 mothers and their newborn infants were studied in order to evaluate the realtionship's between neonatal characteristics and mother-infant interaction. The procedure included a newborn assessment with the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale and 2 mother-infant interaction observations, 1 carried out during feeding and the other during a semistructured situation. The results indicated that there were consistent relationships between infant and maternal behavior; more alert and responsive infants had more responsive and sensitive mothers. These consistencies were found for both infants and mothers across the different situations. Both infant and maternal responsiveness to a variey of social stimuli were noted.


Infant responsivity to curvature.

Infant responsivity to curvature. The reactions of 112 10-month-old male infants to the property of curvature were examined using a habituation paradigm with lever pressing as an instrumental response. 4 levels of curvature (straightt line, minimal curve, moderate curve, large curve) each served as a standard (habituation) stimulus and as a transformation stimulus in 9 separate experimental conditions. Results revealed a greater initial dishabituation of reinforced instrumental responding in those conditions crossing the curved/straight boundary; furthermore, this initial dishabituation was sustained throughout the transformation phase of the experiment in those conditions which involved changes from straight to curved, but not curved to straight. Results are interpreted as implying a special attention-recruiting value for curvature in 10-month old infants.


Pictorial depth sensitivity in two-year-old children. 2-year-old children's pointing responses to the closer or farther of 2 pictured houses were consistently accurate when the depth information included either interposition or relative height in the picture plane. Picture-plane size was not an effective source of depth information. These results place the emergences of pictorial depth perception prior to 20 months of age for children with previous exposure to pictures.


The effect of background shape on the ability of children to copy geometric forms. Children can normally be expected to copy a circle at 3, a square at 4, and a triangle at 5 years of age on standard 81/2 x 11-inch paper. This study hypothesized that the shape of the background paper influences these norms. 53 nursery children copied each of these geometric forms on various-shaped background paper. The results indicated that copying a triangle on triangular paper was just as easy for these children as copying a square on a square piece of paper.


Concordance of visual and manipulative responsiveness to novel and familiar stimuli: a function of test procedures or of prior experience? Concordance of differential visual and manipulative responsiveness to novel stimuli at 6 months of age was found when differential attractiveness and familiarity of the stimuli were controlled. This finding corroborates the findings of an earlier study in which the same object was used as the familiarization object for all subjects. The data indicate that concordance at 6 months of age is not an artifact of the test procedure. A hypothesis suggested by the comparison of these findings with others in the literature is that the opportunity to manipulate a wide variety of objects in the natural environment may contribute to the concordance of visual and manipulative responsiveness to novel stimuli at this age.


The incidence of eidetic imagery as a function of age. Many theorists suggest that eidetic imagery is important in early child development, but there have been few systematic attempts to test whether eidetic imagery varies inversely with age. A sample of 280 students, ranging in age from 5 to 18 years, was tested for eidetic imagery by methods designed to minimize the probability of confusion between eidetic imagery and visual memory imagery of any other type. As expected, the youngest age groups showed the highest frequency of eidetic imagery, and beyond age 7, the incidence did not vary systematically. The results are interpreted as indicating the plausibility of a theory which affords eidetic imagery a role in the early cognitive development of the child.


The structure of imagery.

The structure of imagery. Children's drawings of objects about to be moved in space (anticipatory images) were studied in relation to their judgments about Euclidean spatial relations. Tasks assessing Euclidean geometric operations were administered to 102 girsl between the ages of 4 and 13 years. 5 operative levels resulted: (a) failure on all operations tasks, (b) success on conservation of length, (c) success on conservation and 1-dimensional measurement, (d) success on the latter 2 tasks plus measurement in 2 dimensions, and (e) success on the latter 3 tasks and coordination of internal and external reference frames. The same children performed on 6 imaginal tasks involving movements of objects. Results confirmed several theoretical expectations: (a) children who were unable to measure had difficulty imaging successive positions for 1-dimensional movement; (b) children who were unable to coordinate a point in space by reference to 2 axes were unable to draw states of movement correctly for 2-dimensional movement; (c) children's errors in drawing successive positions of moving objects were related to the structure of operations at the lower levels; and (d) the coordination of object positions over successive states was dependent on the ability to measure from an external frame. The results were interpreted as support for Piaget and Inhelder's theory of imagery development.


Sex role stereotypes: developmental aspects and early intervention. A total of 122 children participated in 2 experiments that examined the utility of sumbolic modeling stimuli in modifying sex role stereotypes. Results disclosed that, while some aspects of sex role stereotypes are present at age 3, other aspects are acquired between the third and fourth year of life. Additionally, males were found to exhibit more stereotyped responses than females. As predicted, brief presentations of illustrated stories involving egalitarian sex role models reduced stereotypic thinking. Interaction effects revealed that an egalitarian literature presentation was more effective at age 5 than age 4 and more effective for females than males. Finally, egalitarian symbolic models in films p-oduced more enduring attitude change on several measures than similar models in picture books.


[Clinical experiences with autologous blood transfusion in vascular surgery]. In a prospective study 30 patients with high operative risk in vascular surgery underwent preoperative phlebotomy. Blood loss during operation could be replaced by bank autologous blood. The clinical data during and after operation are compared with the data of a control group. The use of banked autologous blood does not even endanger patients with poor cardiorespiratory function. As a clinical procedure it is easily performed and reduces the cost of medical care. The method of preoperative phlebotomy reduces the need of homologous blood by 75%. The number of patients receiving homologous blood is reduced by 50%. Banked autologous blood is an important help for the anesthetist. The basic physiologic principles of the method are discussed as well as advantage and disadvantage of preoperative hemodilution. The authors suggest to withdrawal of 800 ml autologous blood before every operation in which the blood loss will be higher than 500 ml.


[Double-blind study for the prevention of postoperative thrombosis]. In a double-blind study a randomized group of 96 patients with abdominal operations received a placebo, dipyridamol/acetylsalicylic acid or ASA alone. Thrombi were verified by the 125-I-fibrinogen test. In 38% of the placebo group deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was found, while only 10% of the dipyridamol/ASA group (P less than 0,05) and 28% of the ASA treated patients (not significant) showed radioactive thrombi. DVT were localized in 83.8% in the calf region. 48.6% of increasend activities were registered up to the end of the first postoperative day, 78.3% up to the third day. The results emphasize the importance of a general antithrombotic prophylaxis. Dipyridamol/ASA seems to be efficient in this regard for abdominal procedures.


[Comparative analysis of shaft geometry in frequently used endophrostheses of the hip joint]. The static behavior of various types of endoprostheses in partial or total hip replacements were tested by means of geometrical analysis in order to examine the loosening phenomena. -- The 3 heterogenous structural materials with highly differing elastic modules such as methylmetacrylate, steel, and bone, which are presently still necessary for the firm embedding of hip prosthesis, are the decisive factors in the observed loosening and migrating of hip arthroplastics. Deformation and fracture of methylmetacrylate alter the primary stabilization of femoral components, changing a two-point fixational system (a two-armed handle) into a device firmly fixed only at one side, thereby increasing the bending and stretching moments so that loosening, varus migration, and metal fatique may occur. -- Prostheses with long-shaft femoral components, with a great surface pressure, and a great momentum of resistance in the upper, endangered third part as well as prosthesis collars up to 65 degrees, are therefore preferable in order to avoid implant complications.


Chromosome distribution in a23 Chinese hamster fibroblasts. This study deals with a systematic chromosome position analysis of 116 anti-mitotic and hypotonic treated a23 chinese hamster cells. No chromosome or pair of chromosomes was found to be located nearer the center or the periphery of the metaphase plate than would be expected by the reference distribution. The homologous chromosomes of pair 2 lie nearer to each other but they do not form a specific angle. The same relative position was shown for the chromosome groups 1-2, 1-E1 and 2-E5 (E standing for an extra chromosome). On the other hand the chromosomes of the combinations X-7, X-8, 7-8, 8-11 and X-E2 were lying further from each other, while chromosomes 10-E1 had a greater mean angle. The non random distribution of the chromosomes 1 and 2 may be interpreted as function of their possibly more frequent participation in the organization of nucleoli. -- To obtain more information about the influence of preparation techniques on the alteration of the chromosome position in metaphase plates, this study deals with some overall considerations about chromosome position. It is shown that in a23 cells the smaller chromosomes do not tend to lie nearer the metaphase plate center (as it happens in human cells). Also a significant correlation between the chromosome position with respect to the metaphase plate center and the mean interchromosomal distances was not found in this type of cells.


Chromosomes and DNA of Mus. The behavior of constitutive heterochromatin in spermatogenesis of M. dunni. Using C-banded preparations of Mus dunni it is possible to study the behavior of constitutive heterochromatin in early stages of meiotic prophase. The X and the Y chromosomes, both of which contain a large amount of heterochromatin, lie apart in leptotene but move toward each other during zygotene. They then form the sex vesicle at late zygotene. In autosomes zygotene pairing appears to start from the telomeric ends. The centromere of the Y chromosome associates end-to-end with the terminal end of the long arm of the X chromosome. The autosomal heterochromatic short arms show forked morphology in certain bivalents at pachytene, suggesting probable incomplete synapsis.


Anomalous development and differential DNA replication in the X-chromosome of a Drosophila hybrid. Male hybrids of the cross D. azteca X D. athabasca are larger (hybrid giant males) than their parents, whereas hybrid females are of the same size as the parental species. Microspectrophotometric measurements have shown that the larval polytene salivary gland chromosomes of hybrid giant males undergo one more endoreplication than those of their sisters or parents. Replication patterns of the larval salivary gland chromosomes were compared after pulse labeling with 3H-thymidine and autoradiography. In females of either species as well as of hybrids X-chromosomes and autosomes are equally labeled, i.e. all chromosome arms replicate synchronously. In males, however. often fewer sites are labeled on the X-chromosome than on the autosomes. In addition, in a significant number of nuclei from D. athabasca males and also from hybrid giant males the converse can also be observed: i.e. more sites are labeled on the X-chromosome than on the autosomes. The modified labeling patterns are interpreted as an indication of a time-shift in the replication of hemizygous X-chromosomes in males, in relation to the autosomes.


Comparative study of human chromosome replication in primary cultures of embryonic fibroblasts and in cultures of peripheral blood leucocytes. II. Replication of centromeric regions of chromosomes at the termination of the S period. Replication of regions of chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 16, and group 4-5 was studied at the termination of the S period in primary cultures of embryonic fibroblasts (two embryos) and in cultures of peripheral blood (two women). Distinct differences were established in the pattern of late replication of the studied chromosomes in the cultures of the two types of cells. These differences consern first of all the centromeric and neighbouring regions of the chromosome. The content of late label in this region is 1.5-3 times higher in the cultures of fibroblasts than in the corresponding regions of leucocyte cultures. The difference is most pronounced in chromosomes 1, 3 and 16. It is suggested that the difference between cultures of these two types of cells in chromosome replication may be connected with the different genetic functioning of the centromeric and neighbouring regions in them. It is also possible that this difference is due to underreplication (or partial loss in an other way) of heterochromatin DNA of centromeric and neighbouring regions in leucocytes functioning for a long period without division.


The transcripts of Balbiani rings from Chironomus thummi. Giant RNA molecules with messenger characteristics. Experimental results on the transcription of Balbiani rings BR 1 and BR 2 of Chironomus thummi salivary gland chromosomes are presented. The DNA of Balbiani ring 2, which is the most active puff in larvae, is transcribed into large RNA molecules of about 22 X 10(6) D which resist degradation by heating, formamide or urea treatment. The asymmetrical distribution of electrophoretic profiles of BR 2 RNA and the appearence of a symmetrical BR RNA peak in the nucleoplasm suggest the synthesis of (mainly) one RNA fraction in BR 2. The gel electrophoretic patterns of BR 1 RNA are, on the other hand, characterized by the appearance of two main fractions of high molecular weight RNA, one of which corresponds in molecular weight (about 22 X 10(6) D) to BR 2 RNA. The second RNA fraction is significantly smaller in molecular size (molecular weight: about 10 X 10(6) D) and, like the 22 X 10(6) D RNA fractions of the two Balbiani rings, resistant against heating in 8 M urea. Binding to poly (U) sepharose of a significant part of Balbiani ring RNA suggests the existence of poly (A) and/or oligo (A) sequences in the Balbiani ring RNA. -- In situ hybridization of BR RNA to the salivary gland chromosomes reveals accumulation of silver grains over the Balbiani ring regions only and demonstrates the restriction of BR DNA sequences to the corresponding Balbiani ring.


The pattern of polytene chromosome synapsis in Drosophila species and interspecific hybrids. The pairing of polytene chromosomes was investigated in Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila simulans and their hybrids as well as in species of the D. virilis group and in F1 hybrids between the species of this group. The study of frequency and extent of asynapsis revealed non-random distribution along chromosome arms both in interspecific hybrids and pure Drosophila species. It is suggested that definite chromosome regions exhibiting high pairing frequency serve as initiation sites of synapsis in salivary gland chromosomes.


The DNAs of the A and B chromosomes of the mealy bug, Pseudococcus obscurus. When the DNA of mealy bugs carrying B chromosomes (+B:DNA( was compared to the DNA of individuals not possessing Bs (-B:DNA), no significant differences were found using isopycnic centrifugations in CsCl or thermal denaturation analyses. Both DNAs had buoyant densities of 1.693 g/cm3 in neutral CsCl gradients and 1.748 g/cm3 in alkaline CsCl gradients. Satellite DNAs were not detected. The average Tm of +B:DNA was 67.9 degrees C in 0.1 SSC while -B:DNA had an average Tm of 67.4 degrees C in the same solution. However, in situ molecular hybridizations with complementary RNAs (cRNAs) transcribed in vitro from each type of DNA showed considerable differences with regard to the amount of labeling of B chromosomes. Using cRNA to +B:DNA, the average number of silver grains over a B chromosome was 2.1 X the average number of silver grains over individual non-B chromosomes (A chromosomes). In contrast, the ratio (B/A) using cRNA to -B:DNA was less than 0.14. The results are interpreted as meaning that very little DNA is shared in common by both A and B chromosomes.


Polytene chromosomes in pupal and adult blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae). A number of pupal and adult tissues of eight Australian blackfly species representing three genera, Austrosimulium, Cnephia and Simulium, were examined for the presence of polytene chromosomes. Banded polytene chromosomes were found in malpighian tubules, hind gut, fat body, and ovary, but only those from the malpighian tubules of female adults and pupae were of good quality. A detailed comparison of polytene chromosomes from larval salivary glands and adult malpighian tubules was made in S. ornatipes and, to a limited extent, in S. melatum. The banding patterns of chromosomes from both tissues were found to be identical with minor differences in puffing patterns in S. ornatipes and chromocenter characteristics in S. melatum. A survey of the remaining six species shows five of them to have malpighian chromosomes suitable for detailed cytological analysis. Simultaneous studies of larval, pupal and adult polytene chromosome systems offer a novel approach to the analysis of population problems in blackflies. The ability to recognise sibling species in adults also has potential practical significance in efforts to control vectors of onchocerciasis.


Evidence for a four micron replication unit in CHO cells. CHO cells in culture were synchronized by mitotic selection, allowed to reattach to plastic flasks, and reach S phase in the presence of fluorode-oxyuridine at concentrations known to completely block the synthesis of thymidylate. The cells were released from the block with 3H-thymidine for pulses of 4, 8, 12, 24 and 40 min and DNA fiber autoradiographs prepared. An analysis of the spacing between origins of replication indicates that sites are available at intervals of about 4 mum along most of the DNA. Chain growth proceeds at about 1,000 nucleotides per minute and some of the closely situated sites become continuous, labeled segments after 8-12 min. However, unlabeled segments are still present between the replicated segments after 40 min. The data may be interpreted as evidence for regularly spaced initiation sites which are available in CHO cells, even though only one in 10-15 of these may be utilized for initiation each cycle under normal growth conditions in these cultures.


Heterochromatin variation in the Australian rodent Uromys caudimaculatus. Ten individuals of Uromys caudimaculatus sampled from Queensland gave evidence for the occurrence of two distinct chromosome races characterised by marked differences in their pattern of C-banding. In all four individuals from the north, thirteen of the twenty three chromosome which make up the standard haploid set had substantial distal C-blocks in addition to the smaller centric blocks which characterise all chromosomes other than the Y. Additionally two pairs had an interstitial block. By contrast none of the six southern individuals had fixed distal blocks though all of them except the Y carry pro-centric C-blocks and again one pair showed an interstitial block. The southern karyotype was, however, characterised by the presence of from six to nine mitotically stable supernumerary chromosomes all of which were totally C-positive despite the fact that at least five morphologically distinguishable types have been defined. While the relationship of these two types of constitutive heterochromatin remains to be clarified the large amount present in both northern and southern animals suggests that heterochromatin plays an important role in the basic biology of this species.


Interspecific "common" repetitive DNA sequences in salamanders of the genus Plethodon. Intermediate repetitive sequences of Plethodon cinereus which comprised about 30% of the genomic DNA were isolated and iodinated with 125I. About 5% of the 125I-repetitive fraction hybridized with a large excess of DNA from P. dunni at Cot 20. About half of the 125I-DNA in the hybrids was resistant to extensive digestion with S-1 nuclease. The average molecular size of the S-1 nuclease-resistant fraction was about 100 nucleotide pairs. The melting temperature of the S-1 nuclease-resistant fraction was about 2 degrees lower than that of the corresponding fraction made with P. cinereus DNA. These results are taken to indicate the presence in the genomes of P. cinereus and P. dunni of evolutionarily stable "common" repetitive sequences. The average frequency of repetition of the common repetitive sequences is about 6,000 X in both species. The common repetitive fraction is also present in the genomes of other species of Plethodon, although the general populations of intermediate repetitive sequences are markedly different from one species to another. The cinereus--dunni common repetitive sequences could not be detected in plethodontids belonging to different tribes, nor in more distantly related amphibians. The profiles of binding of the common repetitive sequences to CsCl or CS2SO4-Ag+ density gradient fractions of P. dunni DNA suggested that these sequences consisted of heterogeneous components with respect to base compositions, and that they did not include large amounts of the genes for ribosomal RNA, 5S RNA, 4S RNA, or histone messenger RNA. In situ hybridization of the 3H-labelled intermediate repetitive sequences of P. cinereus to male meiotic chromosomes of the same species gave autoradiographs after an exposure of seven days showing all 14 chromosomes labelled. The pattern of labelling appeared not to be random, but was impossible to analyse on account of the irregular shapes and different degrees of stretching of diplotene and prometaphase chromosomes. In situ hybridization of the same sequences to meiotic chromosomes from P. dunni gave autoradiographs after 60 d exposure in which all chromosomes were labelled. These heterologous in situ hybrids can only have involved the "common" repetitive sequences.


Fine structure of active ribosomal genes. The structure of active ribosomal genes in the newt Notophthalmus viridescens has been studied at the higher resolution permitted by negative staining. Spherical particles, 70 A to 100 A in diameter are seen on the non-transcribing "spacer" regions, but were absent from certain regions of the transcribing "matrix". The matrix core often appears thicker than a double strand of DNA. These results are discussed in the light of the recently discovered subunit structure of chromatin, and in relation to the question of the disposition of histones during transcription.


Isolation and some properties of a mammalian ribosomal DNA. The DNA coding for 28 S and 18 S ribosomal RNA, including the spacer regions, has been isolated from calf (Bos taurus) thymus gland. The method used included shearing of the total DNA to a highly homogeneous size population, selective heat denaturation and S1 nuclease treatment to remove single stranded DNA. Repeated centrifugation on density gradients yields a 140-fold purified rDNA fraction with a GC content of 61.2% Eco RI nuclease cleaves this DNA into two fragments of 16.4 and 4.9 X 10(6) daltons. Hybridization of these fragments with 28 S and 18 S rRNA shows that the 28 S coding sequence is located mostly on the 4.9 X 10(6) dalton fragment, while both the 16.4 and 4.9 X 10(6) dalton fragments contain the 18 S sequence. The data indicate that the ribosomal RNA gene has a repeat unit of 21.3 X 10(6) daltons which includes a nontranscribed spacer of about 12.5 X 10(6) daltons.


Karyotype analysis of Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum. Male and female pachytene nuclei by 3-D reconstruction from electron microscopy of serial sections. Twelve synaptonemal complexes are present in both oocyte and spermatocyte pachytene nuclei of Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum, as determined by 3-D reconstruction of the nuclear contents from electron microscropy of serial sections and therefore, n=12 in the strain of Ascaris described here. In the female the heterochromatic end of each synaptonemal complex is attached to the nuclear envelope and the other end is free in the nucleoplasm. In the male neither end of the synaptonemal complex is attached, but there is a heterochromatic knob at one end of each complex. Five additional large heterochromatic masses are present in the spermatocyte nucleus and these may be the sex chromosomes described by earlier workers.


Correlated changes of Balbiani ring expansion and secretory protein synthesis in larval salivary glands of Chironomus tentans. Salivary glands of various stages of the last larval instar of Chironomus tentans were quantitatively analyzed with respect to the expansion of their Balbiani rings (B1, B2, B3) by a fast green staining procedure as well as to the rate of synthesis of their secretory proteins (S1, S2, S3) by a scintillation counting procedure of electrophoretic fractions. The extent of expansion of B1, B2 and B3 correlates positively with the rate of synthesis of S3, S2 and S1, respectively. With B1 and S3 these parameters undergo a parallel and developmentally specific change being rather depressed in intermolt, and particularly in diapausing animals.


Satellite DNA and cytogenetic evolution. DNA quantity, satellite DNA and karyotypic variations in kangaroo rats (genus Dipodomys). The genus Dipodomys (kangaroo rats) exhibits major interspecies variations in the proportions of highly reiterated satellite DNA sequences in the genome as well as in the chromosome number and the proportions of uni-armed and bi-armed chromosomes. For nearly all of the approximately 22 species of the genus and several subspecies, liver DNA was distributed in neutral CsCl buoyant density gradients into four fractions; principal DNA (1.698 g/ml), intermediate-density DNA (1.702 G/ML), MS satellite (1.707 g/ml) and HS (heavy satellites (1.713 g/ml). The total nuclear DNA content of diploid liver cells measured in eleven species by quantitative cytophotometry, ranged from 6.9 to 10.9 pg. These data were correlated with known features of the karotypes of individual species. The salient findings were: (1) that interspecies variations in diploid chromosome number cluster at 52-54, 60-64 and 70-72 (2) that high total nuclear DNA was associated with high chromosome number, and with relatively large amounts of satellite DNA (3) that a high ratio of HS satellites to intermediate-density DNA was generally correlated with a predominance of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes (high fundamental number). The relationships of satellite DNA to karyotype structure reveal a new level of hierarchy in the genome that appears capable of exerting global control over environmental adaptation and the evolution of new species. This mechanism is consistent with recent hypotheses that changes in the macro-structure of the genome are more important than point mutations in facilitating the rapid phases of animal evolution.


A denaturation map of sea urchin ribosomal DNA. The ribosomal RNA genes from the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus have been studied with the electron microsocope using the technique of denaturation mapping. A repeating pattern of denatured regions was found with an average repeat length of 3.87 +/- 0.24 mum. This corresponds to a DNA sequence of approximately 12,000 base pairs with a molecular weight of 8 X 10(6) daltons.


Identification of late DNA-replicating regions in Chinese hamster chromosomes using a BrdU-Giemsa technique. Asynchronous Chinese hamster cells were labelled with BrdU for 3 h prior to harvesting the metaphase cells. The late DNA replicating sites became unifilarly BrdU-substituted as compared to the earlier replicating sites having a normal DNA constitution. Those late replicating sites were identified by pale coloration or dot formation after treatment with 1.0 M Na-phosphate solution (adjusted to pH 9.0 with supersaturated amount of NaHCO3 and at a temperature of 69-75 degrees C) and staining with Giemsa dye. Using this technique, nuclei with incorporated BrdU could be distinguished from nuclei that had not incorporated BrdU. --One of the advantages of using this technique for identification of late DNA replicating sites is that cells are treated continuously with BrdU for a short period of time before harvesting and only one sampling, rather than a series of samplings, is required to achieve a clear-cut result.


Pachytene mapping in the female silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera). Pachytene preparations of the chromosome complement of female larvae of Bombyx mori were improved to give a distinct chromomere pattern of the bivalents suitable for chromosome mapping. Six of the 28 bivalents are described and can be identified regularly in the bivalent complements, among them the bivalent containing the nucleolus organizer. The relative lengths of these bivalents compared with one another change during development of pachytene. In contrast to other members of the Lepidoptera there is no conspicuous heterochromatic W-chromosome, which corresponds to the female-specific heterochromatin body present in the nuclei of somatic tissues. This tissue-specific heteropycnosis indicates a different functional state of the responsible chromosome or chromosomal segment in germ line and somatic cells.


Robertsonian metacentrics in the mouse.

Robertsonian metacentrics in the mouse. A survey is given on the occurrence, the geographic origin and the arm composition of 27 Robertsonian fusion metacentric chromosomes of wild populations of the mouse. Their study is of twofold interest: a) it is possible to introduce these naturally occuring metacentrics in laboratory strains for experimental use. At present, altogether 34 metacentric chromosomes of different composition are available including 7 cases of metacentrics known form laboratory strains of the mouse. b) With the search for metacentrics in the mouse and with their identification insights are permitted in the role of Robertsonian changes in the course of mammalian evolution--Several separate populations of the mouse with different sets of multiple (up to 9) metacentrics have been found in Switzerland and Italy. Some of the individual metacentrics may occur in different populations. The participation of an acrocentric autosome in the formation of metacentrics seem to be at random, but the sex chromosomes are never included in a metacentric.--Homology of the arms involved in metacentrics is conserved, so that in meiosis of interpopulation hybrids is due to mechanisms of segregational imbalance and subsequent prenatal elimination of fetal offspring, but it follows also the pattern of male limited hybrid sterility.--From an evolutionary view point, karyotype rearrangements of Robertsonian type may initiate reproductive isolation, which prepares the ground for further genetic diversification and, as in the case of the mouse, of incipient speciation.


Cytology of meiosis in the triploid gyngenetic salamander Ambystoma tremblayi. Female meiosis was analyzed in the triploid gynogenetic salamander Ambystoma tremblayi to determine the mechanism by which a stable chromosome number is maintained in this unisexual species. Gross details of the reproductive cycle and the cytology of meiosis were analyzed in 20 specimens and 320 oocytes involving all stages from early diplotene to the beginning of anaphase II. Ovulation apparently continues progressively involving a few oocytes at a time. Oocytes form the ovary contained chromosomes in diplotene, and diakinesis. The first metaphase was not observed since this stage occurs swiftly either immediately prior to or during ovulation. Oocytes in the most anterior region of the oviduct were in metaphase II, and those in the most posterior region were undergoing the beginning of anaphase II. Telophase II was not observed. Chromosome numbers obtained at all stages of prophase gave counts of approximately 42 bivalents, equivalent to the triploid somatic number known for this species. Similar numbers of dyads were obtained from metaphase II plates. This analysis supports earlier evidence suggesting that the triploid number of chromosomes in oocytes of A. tremblayi is doubled prior to meiosis, and the somatic number is restored by two normal meiotic divisions.


Arrangement of chromosome ends and axial core formation during early meiotic prophase in the male grasshopper Brachystola magna by 3D, E.M. reconstruction. Evidence is presented that chromosome ends are attached to the nuclear envelope prior to the formation of axial cores during early meiotic prophase in the grasshopper Brachystola magna. The attachment sites of distal and proximal chromosome ends are clustered in a small region of the inner nuclear envelope resulting in a classical bouquet arrangement of the chromosomes. Proximal ends are tightly clustered due to the presence of chromocenters. Distal chromosome ends are more widely scattered throughout the base of the bouquet.--Axial core formation can be initiated at chromosome ends or at internal chromosome sites. However, there is a preference for axial cores to form in distal chromosome regions rather than proximal regions during early meiotic prophase.--Virtually all of the nuclear pore complexes are located in the general vicinity of the chromosome attachment sites but each specific attachment site is surrounded by a small area of nuclear envelope which is devoid of pore complexes.


Cytological observations of deletions in pachytene stages of oogenesis and spermatogenesis in the mouse. Cytological examination of pachytene stages of oogenesis and spermatogenesis revealed the presence of diagnositc loops in cells heterozygous for each one of six radiation induced lethal albino alleles in the mouse. Such loops were never found in any of the normal sibs or other controls. Such evidence supports the contention that all six of these mutations are deletions as indicated previously for five of them by complementation tests. An incidental finding was that of a pleiomorphic region on a medium sized pachytene bivalent in both sexes. This was not restricted to mutant cells but was also found in control cells. Whereas the pachytene deletion loops characterize lethal albino allele carriers, the observation of the pleiomorphic region reveals an apparently normal cytological phenomenon in the mouse, the significance of which remains to be determined.


Secific arrangement of chromosomes in the spermiogenesis of Gallus domesticus. On the chromosomes of the rooster the constitutive heterochromatin (C-bands) is to be found for the most part at the centromeres. The position of the centric heterochromatin in spermatids and sperm is not randomly distributed. In early, round spermatids one heterochromatic block lies at this exact position on the membrane that develops into the tip of the sperm nucleus (acrosomal chromocenter). During the elongation of the spermatid nucleus another heterochromatic block comes to lie on the basal nuclear membrane. The other centromeres arrange themselves tandem-wise between the acrosomal and the basal chromocenters. Comparisons have been made between this specific arrangement and the location of chromosomes in the sperm of amphibians and mammalians.


Contrasting patterns of DNA sequence arrangement in Apis mellifera (honeybee) and Musca domestica (housefly). We have examined the organization of the repeated and single copy DNA sequences in the genomes of two insects, the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the housefly (Musca domestica). Analysis of the reassociation kinetics of honeybee DNA fragments 330 and 2,200 nucleotides long shows that approximately 90% of both size fragments is composed entirely of non-repeated sequences. Thus honeybee DNA contains few or no repeated sequences interspersed with nonrepeated sequences at a distance of less than a few thousand nucleotides. On the other hand, the reassociation kinetics of housefly DNA fragments 250 and 2,000 nucleotides long indicates that less than 15% of the longer fragments are composed entirely of single copy sequences. A large fraction of the housefly DNA therefore contains repeated sequences spaced less than a few thousand nucleotides apart. Reassociated repetitive DNA from the housefly was treated with S1 nuclease and sized on agarose A-50. The S1 resistant sequences have a bimodal distribution of lengths. Thirty-three percent is greater than 1,500 nucleotide pairs, and 67% has an average size about 300 nucleotide pairs. The genome of the housefly appears to have at least 70% of its DNA arranged as short repeats interspersed with single copy sequences in a pattern qualitatively similar to that of most eukaryotic genomes.


Chromosomal localizations by in situ hybridization of the repetitious human DNA families and evidence of their satellite DNA equivalents. Four of the five major repetitious human DNA families have been mapped by the in situ hybridization technique at their TOPT values. Two of the lighter density DNA families have autoradiographic grain patterns over heterochromatic chromosomal regions that resemble those of known satellite DNAs. The two heaviest density DNA families have autoradiographic grain patterns of middle repetitious DNAs, with all chromosomes showing labelling. Some evidence suggests that one of these DNA families is concentrated in certain chromosomal regions. Both DNA families exhibit biphasic TOPT curves. The presence of two thermal stability classes of hybrids suggests sequence interspersion. By co-enrichment studies in Ag+-CS2SO4 gradients, evidence suggests the origin of the three lightest density renaturated human DNA families to be satellites I, II and III.


Suggestions for a rational aproach to the chemotherapy of schizophrenia. Current psychiatric practice does not seem to have kept pace with the best recommendations of modern clinical psychopharmacology. Polypharmacy, inadequate dosage, overly brief drug trails, and erratic medication changes are commonplace. Psychopharmacology is obligated to disseminate the most current thinking in usuable form and psychiatry to attempt to implement it in clinical practice. Unique here is the concept that there are pharmacologic, theoretical, and technical reasons to prefer the use of high potency neuroleptics for the routine treatment of schizophrenia and to relegate low potency drugs to secondary status. Routine employment of higher standard neuroleptic doses is advanced to minimize the effects of individual variations in compliance, absorption, and metabolism. A suggested protocol for the acute treatment of schizophreniform disorders is offered.


Satellite DNA and evolution of sex chromosomes. The satellite DNA (SATELLITE III) which is mainly represented in the female of Elaphe radiata (Ophidia, Colubridae) has been isolated and its buoyant density has been determined (delta equals 1.700 g cm-3). In situ hybridisation of radioactive complementary RNA of this satellite DNA with the chromosomes of different species has revealed that it is mainly concentrated on the W sex chromosome and its sequences are conserved throughout the sub-order Ophidia. From hybridisation studies these sequences are absent from the primitive family Boidae which represents a primitive state of differentiation of sex chromosomes. Chromosome analysis and C-banding have also revealed the absence of heteromorphism and of an entirely heterochromatic chromosome in the species belonging to the primitive family and their presence in the species of highly evolved families. It is suggested that the origin of satellite DNA (satellite III) in the W chromosome is the first step in differentiation of W from the Z in snakes by generating asynchrony in the DNA replication pattern of Z and W chromosomes and thus conceivably reducing the frequency of crossing-over between them which is the prerequisite of differentiation of sex chromosomes. Presence of similar sex chromosome associated satellite DNA in domestic chicken suggests its existence in a wider range of vertebrates than just the snakes.


Neuropsychiatric studies of drinkers of denatured alcohol. The literature on denatured alcohol drinking includes substantial reports on the toxicological aspects of the experimental studies and on acute poisoning of denatured alcohol. However, there is scant mention of the alcoholic's use of denatured alcohol as an alternate source to sustain his addictive habit. We have been repeatedly impressed by reports of consumption of denatured alcohol in histories given by chronic alcoholics. By definition, a drinker of denatured alcohol is a person who, over a period of time, drinks any preparation of rectified spirits which has been denatured for domestic, industrial, or medical use (see Table I). Common denaturants used are methyl alcohol, gasoline, benzene, chloroform, pyridine, and naphthalene, in combination or individually. (see Table I-Glossary). This study was lndertaken to explore the damage, mainly to the central nervous system, caused by the denaturants. Ten cases were studied for neuropsychiatric pathology resulting from drinking denatured alcohol. The duration of their drinking this substance varied from two months to eighteen months. From the clinical data, a personality profile is drawn of these individuals. There is a high incidence of toxicity to the central nervous system of an irreversible nature as well as to the respiratory system. Psychometric tests can be helpful in early detection (with prophylaxis) of damage caused to the higher cerebral process.


Intracranial neoplasms in children: a comparison of North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Series of intracranial neoplasms in childrem from four continents (North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia) are presented and their histopathological distributions are compared. Findings include a proportion of craniopharyngiomas in Japan and Africa about double that of other areas, with a relative deficit of medulloblastomas. Pinealomas also occurred approximately three times as often in Japan and Africa as elsewhere. A incidence of ependymomas in India double that of other parts of the world was noted. Astrocytomas were the most frequently occurring neoplasms in all series except the Japanese. Possible interpretations of the differences among the series, as well as proposals for further investigation, are discussed.


Psychological stress as a cause of lithium prophylaxis failure, a report of three cases. The author presents three lithium prophylaxis failures realted to stress. He suggests unresolved stress as an unresearched cause of lithium prophylaxis failure, and recommends further research be applied to this factor.


[Idiopathic "juvenile" chronic pancreatitis (author's transl)]. Among 192 cases of chronic pancreatitis, 51 (27%) were classifed as idiopathic after exclusion of all known aetiological factors. The age distribution of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis suggests that there are two separate entities, a "senile" (n = 38) (ISCP) and a "juvenile" form (n = 13) (IJCP). IJCP seems to represent a new nosological entity characterized by a low mean age at onset (25.6 years), a preponderance of males (n = 12), typical recurrent episodes of pancreatitis (n = 13), and a very high incidence of calcifications (n = 10). The course of IJCP seems to be rather benign but protracted. Despite lacking direct evidence, IJCP seems to be due to a genetic factor. The postulated causes of IJCP and ISCP may be identical with the primary factors which are considered to be responsible in combination with high alcohol intake, for the development of alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis.


[Mineral content of growing bone (author's transl)]. Normal mineral content of the calcaneus was determined in 137 healthy persons aged 3 to 20 years. Calcium-salt content increased with age, reaching 60% of its final value in the sixth year of life. In females mineralisation was practically complete in the 15th year.


[Rubber band ligation--an alternative treatment for haemorrhoids (author's transl)]. Rubber band ligation, first described by Blaisdell, is an effective way of treating internal haemorrhoids. Treatment is ambulatory, thus saving time and costs. Experiences with 72 patients show this method to be superior to injection therapy and haemorrhoidectomy because of the simplicity of technique, the short period of treatment and the minimal discomfort for the patients. In our opinion rubber band ligation is the treatment of choice in managing internal haemorrhoids.


[Skin metastases in thyroid carcinoma (author's transl)]. Thyroid carcinomas rarely metastasize to the skin. In three patients skin metastases following follicular, papillo-follicular and medullary carcinomas were seen. In two cases the metastatic spread was haematogenous, in a third patient with a retrosternal thyroid carcinoma there was massive spread through the anterior thoracic wall. The diagnosis was made on histological invesitgation of the skin lesions and after total body scintigraphy with 131I. In one seemingly-healthy patient the histological investigation of skin nodule first led to the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. If skin metastases occur several years after the discovery of a visceral tumour the possibility of a second primary tumour should be considered. The results of combined treatment with with surgery, radio-therapy, (radioiodine and tele-cobalt) and hormone treatment show that skin metastases in thyroid carcinoma do not necessarily have a hopeless prognosis.


[Dextran 40 in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis in surgery (author's transl)]. The effectiveness of 4 X 500 ml dextran-40 infusions (Rheomacrodex) for the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis was evaluated in a prospective, controlled, randomized study in urological and general surgical patients. The 125I-fibrinogen test was performed daily in all patients. 36 of 100 control patients developed deep vein thrombosis, but only 20 out of 92 (21.7%) did so in the dextran group (P less than 0.05). The number of patients showing bilateral deep vein thrombosis was significantly reduced under dextran prophylaxis (P less than 0.01). No side effects of dextran prophylaxis were seen.


[Primary amyloidosis presenting as intrahepatic cholestasis (author's transl)]. In a 37-year-old female patient with marked signs of cholestasis and excessive hyperbilirubinaemia without any recognisable cause, the unexpected diagnosis of massive amyloidosis of the peri-collagenous and perireticular type was made after hepatic needle biopsy. There were also amyloid deposits in the rectal mucosa and in the bone marrow. Fifteen months after the onset of disease symptoms the patient died from the consequences of spontaneous intrahepatic haemorrhage. At the post-mortem investigation generalised amyloidosis with massive involvement of nearly all organs was found. Primary amyloidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any aetiologically unexplained cholestasis.


[Single-view mammography (author's transl)]. Single-view mammography was performed in 12123 women (22321 pictures) so that the entire breast tissue was visualised. In 223 patients the results were compared with histological findings obtained subsequently. The high percentage of agreement indicates that the single-view examination is highly reliable.


[Nifedipine (a calcium antagonist) in the treatment of urinary obstruction (author's transl)]. Nifedipine (10 mg orally) had a relaxing effect on the ureters of 25 patients with various forms of urinary obstruction. At a daily dose of 30 mg this effect can be used for treating neurogenic disorders of bladder emptying due to unrestrained detrusor contractions.


[Combination of clofibrate and phenformin in the treatment of endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia (author's transl)]. Combined treatment with clofibrate and phenformin increased the lipid-lowering effect of clofibrate monotherapy in 15 patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia significantly by ca. 10%. The therapeutic success was shown by a reduction in LDL-cholesterol and an additional reduction in VLDL-triglycerides. A clofibrate-induced rise in LDL-cholesterol could not be observed during the combined treatment. Thus combined treatment could be particularly advantageous in the prophylaxis of arteriosclerotic complications of endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia, provided that contra-indications of either of the preparations are excluded.


[Lumbar myelography using dimer-x in the diagnosis of lumbar disc lesions (author's transl)]. The pre-operative myelograms performed using Dimer-X (dimeglumine-iocarmate) of 219 patients were re-evaluated post-operatively without knowledge of the operative findings. In 77% the myelographic interpretation was in agreement with the surgical diagnosis. The interpretation was difficult and unreliable when only one or few radiographic signs were present. In order to achieve optimal benefit from the investigation the history and clinical findings should also be considered as equally important. Myelography is only justified in clinically unclear cases. In view of this and possible complications a stringent indication in necessary.


[Prajmalium bitartrat-induced liver damage (author's transl)]. Liver damage was found in five patients (three men, two women) who were receiving prajmalium bitartrate. The cause was proven by re-exposure which was positive in all instances. The illness tended to start with acute fever and severe upper abdominal pains. When the drug was continued in one case, laparotomy was performed for suspected obstructive jaundice. Another patient had been admitted for operation because of jaundice. On re-exposure the most striking feature was a definite rise in glutamate-dehydrogenase. Prajmalium bitartrate is thus no better tolerated by the liver than ajmalin: both clinically, biochemically and morphologically the two drugs affect the liver similarly.


[Experimental study on the pathogenesis of anastomotic ulcers (author's transl)]. Various forms of operative duodenal exclusion with or without duodenogastric reflux were performed on 54 male Wistar rats. It was demonstrated that after duodenal exclusion with reflux peptic ulcers regularly occur at the site of anastomosis. Continuous reflux of bile and pancreatic secretion is the decisive factor in the development of ulcer at the anastomotic border between stomach and jejunum. Stasis in the excluded duodenum (syndrome of the afferent loop) promotes the ulcerogenic reflux effect. If there is no pylorus, reflux and stasis are potentiated to the highest incidence of ulcer (more than 90%). These results indicate that operations with duodenal exclusion and reflux (Billroth II) should be discontinued.


[Oral contraceptives in prophylaxis of acute exacerbations of intermittent porphyria (author's transl)]. Out of 14 women with acute intermittent porphyria seven were treated for an average of five years with ovulation inhibitors. In another two cases a bilateral surgical oophorectomy and a radiotherapeutic castration were performed. Five untreated women formed the control group. In contrast to the control group there were no further acute exacerbations in the group treated with oral contraceptives. The two patients with oophorectomy and irradiation castration died following multiple acute exacerbations. In four of the women treated with oral contraceptives the development of persistent, and in some cases severe, arterial hypertension was observed. The pathogenesis cannot be explained.


[Accuracy of exercise tests in the recognition of coronary-artery stenosis. Comparison between post-exercise ECG and coronary arteriogram (author's transl)]. Post-exercise ECGs and coronary arteriograms were compared in 180 unselected patients. Coronary-artery stenosis had been diagnosed correctly by arteriography in 94% of cases. In 60% this was also possible from the resting ECG (signs of myocardial infarction), while in the remaining 34% only the exercise ECG was positive. Post-exercise ECG changes are thus an important and largely specific means of diagnosing coronary-artery stenosis.


[Doppler ultrasonic diagnosis of the subclavian-steal syndrome (author's transl)]. It is possible to perform percutaneous Doppler ultrasonic flow measurements in the vertebral artery below its curvature over the atlas. Criteria supporting the subclavian-steal syndrome are (I) red side, (2) slowing of blood flow in the vertebral artery after compression of the axillary artery on the same side, and (3) delayed pulse in the axillary artery of the diseased compared with the normal side.


Tri-potassium di-citrato bismuthate: a report of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in peptic ulcer. Tri-potassium di-citrato bismuthate is a complex bismuth salt stable in colloidal form advocated for the treatment of peptic ulcer. Preliminary placebo-controlled trials in small numbers of ambulant patients with endoscopically proven peptic ulcer, strongly suggest that the compound accelerates the rate of healing of gastric and duodenal ulcer within 4 weeks of treatment. However, trials involving larger numbers of patients followed-up for longer periods are required before a clear verdict on the efficacy of tripotassium di-citrato bismuthate in gastric and duodenal ulcer can be given. There are no reliable data on the effect of the drug on ulcer recurrence rate. Side-effects are negligible and the drug could become an important therapeutic agent in peptic ulcer therapy if results of further study are conclusive. The drug causes dark discolouration of the stools and this should be borne in mind when considering the possibility of the presence of intestinal bleeding.


Drug stimulated biotransformation of hormonal steroid contraceptives: clinical implications. On the basis of well documented biochemical and pharmacological data about the influence of drug mediated enzyme induction on the biotransformation of natural and synthetic sex steroids, practical consequences for hormonal steroid contraception are described and discussed. Clinical reports dealing with this problem are still sparse. The clinical symptoms of drug stimulated biotransformation of hormonal steroid contraceptives are characteristic. Spotting or breakthrough bleeding are observed and in the extreme case conception may occur despite the regular intake of the contraceptive. The appearance of these symptoms differs from one individual to another. With a strong enzyme inducer, bleeding disorders can be provoked artifically in 50 to 60% of the women receiving hormonal contraceptive treatment. The range of drugs which stimulate biotransformation of hormonal contraceptives with consequent loss of their biological effectiveness is not completely known. For practical purposes, it is recommended that bleeding disturbances under hormonal steroid contraception in a previously regular cycle be regarded as loss of reliability; they should be remedied and taken as a sign to search for uncontrolled drug taking.


[Cerebral metabolism of dopamine and of serotonin during Alzheimer and Pick's diseases. Dynamic study by the test using probenecid]. A study of the cerebral metabolism of dopamine and serotonin has been realized by the probenecid test in 17 patients. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (13 patients) and Pick's disease (4 patients) has been made on clinical and radiological grounds. No important anomaly of this metabolism was discovered. In subjects with Alzheimer's disease, the renewal rates of H.V.A. and 5 H.I.A.A. were diminished in comparison to the values measured in normal individuals, but this difference was not significant. In patients with Pick's disease, the accumulation of H.V.A. after probenecid was in the normal bounds, whereas that of 5 H.I.A.A. was non-significantly decreased. The results are compared with those of the literature.


[Medicopsychosocial syndrome of polygonosomies (XXX, XXY, XYY, syndromes etc...)]. This is an attempt to describe a common syndrom of polygonosomy. Medical, psychological and social incidences of XXX, XXY, XYY, genotypes indicate that these chromosomal aberrations share identical features: phenotypic abnormalities (high stature, dermatoglyphes abnormalities), neuropsychic troubles (neurological symptoms and mental fragility) and antisocial tendancy. One can suppose that at least some polygonosomic persons have a minimal brain dysfunction (or damage), which causes more vulnerability to environnement, deprivation and stress. Relational, educational and socio-economical factors appear now to have a marked role in the etiopathogenesis of these psychiatric troubles. Some forensic and ethical problems of human genetic research are reviewed, such as the so-called "criminal chromosome", supplementary Y chromosome, a myth based upon false and premature scientific assertions.


[Treatment of the neuroleptic syndrome by biperiden hydrochloride under its delayed-action form. A 9-month study on 55 hospitalized patients]. Biperiden hydrochloride has been used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and related disorders within two drugs: --Akinophyl, --and Akineton which is chemically similar but has a slower effect. The first French publications upon its use as a neuroleptic corrector date from 1972. Our study deals with 55 chronic psychotic patients treated with neuroleptics and varied correctors of resulting Parkinson disorders. Akineton has been substituted for the preceding antiparkinson drugs. We may come to the following conclusions = Akineton is effective upon neuroleptic syndrom, gives few or no untoward reactions, has no toxicologic effects, shows no incompatibility with any other drug. It is very satisfactory to have at our disposal a drug effective in small doses and having a slow effect within average of 24 hours.


[Sulpiride and psychic decompensation].

[Sulpiride and psychic decompensation]. The use of sulpirid in psychiatry allows to delineate three types of activity of this compound which originality consists most in this triple association: neuroleptic activity, as well as anticonfusional and antidepressive. The psychodynamic and phenomenological evaluation of patients receiving a sulpirid treatment, has led us to consider the process of "psychic decompensation" as a target variable particularly sensitive to the action of this psychotropic drug. This process can be found in various pathological states--acute delirious states, depressive episodes, anxiety, autism, stress situation--where sulpirid acts, beside its specific thymoanaleptic or neuroleptic properties, through a "aspecific recompensation activity". This translates, psychopathologically, the action of sulpirid on the vegetative brain as well as the anti-stress properties of this psychrotropic drug, as verified in animal experiment.


[Use of haloperidol at very high doses]. The authors report the observations of 12 patients who have been treated by haloperidol at a dose of 60 mg per os each day during periods from 15 to 106 days. They presented severe paranoid reaction with excitement. This treatment was insufficient to calm down the agitation and had to be completed by an increase of the doses in one case and by the association of an other neuroleptic in the other cases. The tolerance was always good.


[Characteristic aspects of acute delusion psychosis in Madagascar]. Research workers have analysed 92 cases of acute delirium in their country and have tried to bring out of their studies the particular aspects which are sources of many diagnostical errors: --factors which cause anxiety and lead to depressive states in Europe, but which destroy quickly the consciousness of some personalities still to be defined in Madagascar; --poor delirium in the tropics with little or no reaction at all makes the diagnostic very difficult.


Effects of growth hormone, thyroxine, and age on diaphragm muscle from dwarf mice. The ability of GH in vitro to stimulate leucine incorporation into protein and the uptake of 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and 3-O-methyl-glucose (3-OMG) was studied in diaphragm muscle from dwarf (dw/dw) mice. Ovine GH (25 mug/ml) significantly enhanced the rate of protein synthesis in muscle from untreated dwarfs. In contrast, GH usually failed to stimulate transport, although occasionally a small increase in AIB uptake was seen. Insulin (50 muU/ml) readily stimulated both AIB transport and protein synthesis in muscle from untreated dwarfs. Dwarfs were treated for 4 days with thyroxine (T4) (0.3-5 mug/day) or 3,5,3'-triiodo thyronine (T3) (0.1 mug/day). This enhanced the responsiveness of the transport systems to GH and seemed to increase the basal transport rates for AIB and 3-OMG. After the T4-treatment 0.75 mug/ml GH stimulated AIB transport in mice aged 15 weeks; 25 mug/ml GH stimulated AIB transport in dwarfs aged 5 weeks-1 yr. and leucine incorporation into protein in dwarfs aged 5 weeks-2 yr. This last result suggests that response to GH does not cease merely due to increasing age. Synergism by T3/T4 was not permanent, and the maximum response to GH occurred 1 week after the last injection of T4. The possible mechanisms whereby thyroid hormones enhance responsiveness of the transport systems to GH are discussed.


Incomplete suppression of thyrotropin secretion after single injection of large L-triiodothyronine doses into hypothyroid rats. In order to examine the mechanism underlying incomplete suppression of TSH secretion by thyroid hormones, we measured serum TSH and T3 levels (radioimmunoassay) in 3,5,3'-triiodothyromine (T3)-injected groups of euthyroid and hypothyroid rats. In 2 experiments, euthyroid rats received a single injection of 10 mug T3 and 25 mug T3/100 g body weight (BW). After T3 injection, the TSH levels fell rapidly to the undetectable range of the assay (1-5 ng/ml) within 3 h. TSH concentration returned to control levels following reduction of plasma T3 to pre-injection values as a result of hormone metabolism. Hypothyroid rats were used in the remaining experiments. They were injected with T3, 25 mug/100 g BW in 2 studies and 1000 mug/100 g BW in one. TSH levels in vehicle-injected groups were relatively constant for 9 days. In T3-injected groups, TSH decreased rapidly to about 10% of pre-injection concentrations within 5 hours. In the 3 studies, TSH remained at 100 ng/ml, 40 ng/ml and 30 ng/ml for 3-6 days despite markedly elevated T3 values. TSH then increased toward pre-injection values when T3 concentrations decreased to the euthyroid range. In an additional study, the daily injection of T3, 1 mug/100 g BW, resulted in a further decrease in plasma TSH to undetectable values only after 15-25 days. These studies show 2 components of TSH suppression in hypothyroid rats. Ninety per cent suppression occurs rapidly (hours) after a large dose of T3 Suppression of the residual TSH to the undetectable assay range occurs slowly, requiring prolonged (15-25 days) T3 administration. Further studies showed that TSH isolated from plasma of hypothyroid rats after T3 injection had an apparent molecular weight of 29,000 Daltons and exhibited an immunoassay curve parallel to rat TSH RP-1. Persistent secretion of TSH in the face of very high plasma T3 concentrations may reflect partial autonomy of thyrotrophs in TSH secretion or a nonspecific leak of TSH which is related in amount to the number of thyrotrophs present and/or their secretory activity in different thyroid states.


Inhibition of ovarian estradiol-17beta secretion by luteinizing hormone in prepubertal, pregnant mare serum-treated rats. Serum estradiol-17beta levels, elevated prior to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, decline abruptly following the release of endogenous LH or the injection of exogenous LH. To investigate the mechanism of this decline, bovine LH (NIH-LH-B8) was administered to immature rats, in which follicular maturation and estrogen biosynthesis were induced by a non-ovulating dose of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMS). Serum and ovarian estradiol-17beta concentrations fell detectably by 4h, and reached levels around 20% of the controls by 8h after iv injection of 10 mug LH. Concomitant decreases occurred in ovarian androgen concentrations, following an initial rise, and in the in vitro ovarian testosterone aromatizing enzyme activity. The LH-induced inhibition of the aromatase activity was found to be of a non-competitive type. It is proposed that two enzyme systems are inhibited as a result of the LH treatment: the C17,20-lyase and the C19 androgen aromatase, thereby leading to decreased concentrations of estrogens in the ovaries and blood.


Lack of somatotropin effect on glycosaminoglycan content of canine coronary arteries. Eight beagles, 10 months of age, were surgically hypophysectomized and subsequently maintained without hormonal replacement therapy for 8 weeks. Four of the animals then received daily injections of bovine somatotropin (0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously for 3 weeks), while the remaining 4 were treated with saline. Six age-matched intact beagles served as normal controls. Following  sacrifice, the aorta and both coronary arteries were dissected from each dog and analyzed for glycosaminoglycans (GAG, mucopolysaccharides). Four fractions were determined : hyaluronic acid (HA), heparan sulfate (HS), dermatan sulfate (DS), and the isomeric chondroitin sulfates (CS). In coronary arteries hypophysectomy had no effect on HA, but caused a significant reduction of HS, DS, and CS concentrations resulting in a marked lowering of the  total GAG content. Treatment with somatotropin (GH) had no appreciable effect on any one of the four GAG constituents. The lack of sensitivity of coronary arteries to GH is contrary to the effectiveness of the hormone in raising sulfated GAG in aortas, which was previously demonstrated by us in hypophysectomized dogs and now confirmed again in the present series of experiments. The data support our hypothesis that there is a differential sensitivity to GH in the various parts of the vascular system.


Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of estrogen on uterine DNA synthesis. The induction of long-term responses in the uterus following estrogen treatment is discussed, with special reference to DNA synthesis. Immature female rats injected daily with estradiol-17beta or estriol (0.01 to 1 mug) or a combination of the two steroids for one, two or three consecutive days were sacrificed at intervals from 12 to 24 h after the last injection of vehicle or steroid. In vitro incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA [14C]leucine into protein, and oxidation of [14C)glucose to 14CO2 were determined. Nuclear-bound estradiol was determined by use of exchange assay or following incubation of intact uteri with 1 X 10(-8)M ([3H]estradiol for 1 h  at 37 C. Injection of estriol only partially stimulated DNA synthesis by 18 to 24 h post-treatment. However, injection of estriol followed by injection of estradiol 6 h later resulted in increased DNA synthesis, suggesting that estrogen must be present for up to 6 h to induce subsequent DNA synthesis. Maximal DNA and protein synthesis and oxidation of glucose occurred at 24 h after injection of estradiol (0.1 or 1 mug) but was depressed to control levels by 24 h after the last of three daily injections. Daily injections of 0.01 mug of estradiol resulted in a similar pattern of DNA synthesis, although of lesser magnitude than that observed after injection of 0.1 or 1 mug of estradiol. However, if rats receiving daily injections of 0.01 mug estradiol were challenged with a higher dose of estradiol (1 mug), uterine DNA synthesis was markedly increased. The data suggest that prolonged exposure to estrogen causes uterine cells to become metabolically "refractory" to further estrogen stimulation. Sequential injections of estriol (1 mug) or intermittent injections of estradiol (1 mug) were ineffective in causing this uterine "refractoriness". Receptor binding of estrogen, translocation to the nucleus, and retention of receptor in the nucleus were not affected by sequential estrogen treatment. The accumulation of an inhibitory product is suggested as a possible explanation for this phenomenon.


Hormonal regulation of fetal brain cell proliferation: presence in serum of a trophin responsive to pituitary growth hormone stimulation. Previous studies led us to hypothesize that brain growth was regulated by a growth hormone-dependent brain trophin. An in vitro bioassay system to assess this proposal was developed. Serum was shown to stimulate the uptake of tritiated thymidine into fetal brain cell DNA. This action could not be attributed to any nutrient contribution but was due to a non-dialyzable, heat-stable serum growth factor. The levels of the growth factor in serum were reduced after pituitary removal. When added in physiological concentration, growth hormone, prolactin, placental lactogen, insulin, nerve growth factor, thyroid and steroid hormones failed to stimulate the action of serum or to act synergistically with a serum component to stimulate DNA synthesis. Thyroxine, estradiol-17beta, and corticosterone inhibited serum activity. Administration of growth hormone to hypophysectomized rats restored serum levels to normal demonstrating that the serum growth factors was a mediating trophin responsive to pituitary growth hormone stimulation. The relationship of the brain trophin to other serum growth factors and its specificity of action remain to be defined. The present findings were in accordance with in vivo studies of hormonal influence on brain growth and support the proposal that fetal brain cell proliferation is stimulated by a serum trophin responsive to pituitary growth hormone.


The excitation and inhibition of sexual receptivity in female hamsters by progesterone: time and dose relationships, neural localization and mechanisms of action. Ovariectomized hamsters were administered estradiol benzoate (EB) and 44 h later, progesterone (P.) Lordosis behavior was induced. When an additional dose of P was given up to 24 h prior to or 24 h after the EB, EB-P facilitation of lordosis was inhibited. Additional hamsters were given varying doses of P (25-200 mu) following EB using both excitatory and inhibitory paradigms. Inhibition of EB-induced lordosis was effected with a lower dose of P than was the facilitation of EB induced lordosis by P. Hamsters were also given intracerebral implants of P using excitatory and inhibitory paradigms. No excitatory loci were found. Inhibition of EB-induced lordosis was effected by implants in the posterior hypothalamus and anterior mesencephalon, but not by diencephalic implants. Other hamsters were administered tritiated estradiol (E2) plus P prior to, concurrent with, or shortly after the E2. P had no effect upon the accumulation of E2 by any brain sites, although E2 was found to concentrate to a greater degree in the diencephalon than in the mesencephalon or cortex. The estrogen-induced depletion and replenishment of hypothalamic cytosol estrogen receptors was also studied. Concurrent P treatment had no effect upon the receptor depletion-replenishment process. It was concluded that P can both facilitate and inhibit estrogen-induced lordosis and that the inhibitory effects of P are not upon estrogen-sensitive cells in the brain.


Regulation of serum gonadotropins by photoperiod and testicular hormone in the Syrian hamster. Male hamsters were maintained on long (14L:10D) or short (10L:14D) photoperiods. The serum concentrations of LH and FSH were reduced in the animals kept on the short photoperiod, and these animals had atrophied testes and sex accessories. Serum gonadotropin concentrations increased following castration in both long and short photoperiods, but gonadotropin secretion was inhibited by much smaller doses of testosterone in the males maintained on the short photoperiod as compared to males kept on a long photoperiod. The levels of testosterone required to suppress serum gonadotropin levels in castrated animals corresponded reasonably well with the serum androgen levels observed in intact males, suggesting that serum androgen is a major regulator of gonadotropin secretion in the male hamster.


The content of a specific cell product in the vaginal epithelium of normal and neonatally estrogenized mice: its dependence on an estradiol-prolactin interaction. The amount of an immunological marker (CVA) in mucified cells of the mouse vaginal epithelium was quantified by a mixed hemagglutination technique for tissue sections. Immature mice, adult mice which had been estrogenized neonatally (5 mug diethylstilbestrol daily for the first five days after birth), and adult non-estrogenized mice were studied. All adult animals were castrated 7-10 days before starting the experiments. Injections of 5 mug estradiol-17beta (48 and 24 h before killing the animals) increased the amount of CVA in all three groups of animals, but most markedly in the neonatally estrogenized mice. The amount of CVA found following estradiol treatment was decreased in adult animals injected with the ergot alkaloid CB154 (0.5 mg twice daily for 6 days) in addition to the hormone. This partial block of the estradiol-induced CVA response by CB154 was relieved by exogenous rat prolactin. The CVA content in immature animals was not influenced by CB154, given alone or together with estradiol. Combined treatment with estradiol and rat prolactin (3 mug every 8 h for 6 days) increased more efficiently than estradiol alone the amount of CVA in immature and adult nonestrogenized animals. Prolactin injected alone had no effect on the CVA content. These data strongly suggest a synergistic action of estradiol and prolactin in augmenting the epithelial CVA content. Explants of the vaginal wall from normal and neonatally estrogenized mice were grafted into the thigh muscles of newborn mice, every host carrying one graft from both types of animals. The CVA content in the epithelium of the two grafts increased to the same level in response to estradiol. When the hosts were injected with estradiol and prolactin, the CVA content was higher in grafts from estrogenized donors than in those from nonestrogenized animals. Our results demonstrate that the mucified vaginal cells in adult, neonatally estrogenized mice have a content of CVA which is higher than in nonestrogenized animals. This difference may be ascribed to hormonal factors (estradiol-prolactin) as well as to persistent effects in the vaginal cells as a result of the neonatal estrogen treatment.


Preparation of viable isolated bovine parathyroid cells. A method is described for the preparation of isolated bovine parathyroid cells. Fresh, minced bovine parathyroid tissue is incubated with 2 mg/ml collagenase and 50 mug/ml DNAse for 1 h at 37 C with periodic pipetting. Parthyroid cells are separated from contaminating fat cells and red cells by low speed centrifugation. The resulting cell preparation is indistinguishable from parathyroid cells in intact bovine glands by light and electron microscopy. Hormone release is linear for at least 3 h at both high (2.0 mM) and low (0.5 mM) calcium concentrations and is inversely proportional to divalent cation concentration between 0.3 mM and 1.0 mM calcium as been observed previously both in vivo and in vitro. As in previous studies, hormone release is also stimulated up to 2-fold by 10(6) M (-)isoproterenol, an effect blocked by 10(-6)M (-)propranolol, suggesting a beta-adrenergic effect. Such a cell preparation should be useful for studying hormone binding and effects on cyclic nudleotides and cellular transport phenomena in both normal amd abnormal tissue.


Circadian periodicity of epidermal growth factor and its abolition by superior cervical ganglionectomy. The concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in mouse submaxillary gland displays a circadian variation, which can be phase-shifted by light-dark reversal, and which is abolished by superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCG). Such circadian variation persists in fasted animals. Peak concentrations occur during light hours, trough concentrations during dark, although peak concentrations in female animals occur 8 h in advance of the time when they are seen in male animals. The nocturnal fall can be reversed by a one hour exposure to light presented during the normal dark period. SCG does not abolish the increase in submaxillary gland EGF concentrations to levels characteristic of the normal male that is seen following testosterone administration to female mice (who normally exhibit much lower EGF concentrations). Plasma EGF concentrations do not exhibit a ciradian variation.


Strain-dependent gonadal effects upon adrenal cholesterol ester concentration and composition in C57BL/10J and DBA/2J mice. The effects of gonadectomy and sex hormone administration on the concentrations of the individual cholesterol esters in the adrenals of C57BL/10J and DBA/2J mice are described. The methyl esters of the fatty acids derived from the cholesterol ester fraction have been analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. In both strains the females have a higher total adrenal cholesterol ester concentration than the males. However, different gonadal effects operate in the two strains. In the C57 strain the presence of the ovary or the administration of estradiol benzoate to the ovariectomized female increases the concentrations of all adrenal cholesterol esters. This effect does not occur in the DBA strain. In the DBA strain the presence of the testes or the administration of testosterone propionate to the castrate male lowers the concentration of all adrenal cholesterol esters. This effect does not occur in the C57 strain. The response to testosterone propionate in the castrate male of the DBA strain is significantly greater than that of ovariectomized female. This finding suggests that sexual differentiation influences the magnitude of the response. In both strains cholesteryl adrenate (C22:4) shows these gonadal effects to a greater degree than the other adrenal cholesterol esters. Thus, there are at least two types of gonadal control of adrenal cholesterol esters. One of these affects all the esters in general while the other affects adrenic acid metabolism specifically.


Metabolism of radioiodinated bovine parathyroid hormone in the rat. Metabolism of bovine 125I-labeled parathyroid hormone was studied in the rat by gel filtration and by sequence analysis of the iodinated fragments. Analysis of the kinetics of hormone metabolism shows that iodinated intact hormone has a multiexponential disappearance curve with a rapid (3 min) initial and a slower (48 min) second component. Iodinated fragments, which rapidly increase during the first 12 min after injection of the intact hormone, subsequently disappear from the circulation with a t1/2 of no greater than 48 min. Plasma samples collected at various time-intervals after intravenous injection of bovine 125I-labeled parathyroid hormone were gel filtered on Bio-gel P-100. Four radioactive peaks were seen. The first and second peaks eluted, respectively, at the void volume of the column and at the position of intact hormone. The third peak consisted of iodinated fragments, and the last peak eluted at the salt volume of the column. Sequence analysis of the iodinated fragments in the third peak showed that it was heterogeneous, containing several different, but closely related, polypeptides. Before 48 min after injection, the most-abundant fragment is one whose amino-terminal amino acid is residue 34. The amino-terminal residue of the next most-common fragment is the amino acid at position 37. No fragments representing cleavages closer to the amino-terminus than residue 34 were seen. The results of these studies are virtually identical with those previously obtained in the dog. The similarities found in the sites of hormone proteolysis and in the kinetics of hormone metabolism in the rat and dog, coupled with the less direct evidence indicating that similar cleavages are also present in man and bovine, are consistent with the view that proteolysis of parathyroid hormone is peripheral tissues is specific, at least in mammalian species, and may be a critical step in controlling the availability of biologically active hormone.


Evidence for the presence of glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) in the pancreas. Glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI), which can be separated from glucagon by isoelectric focusing, has been detected in partially purified canine pancreatic extracts. Like gastrointestinal GLI, this insular GLI reacts with crossreacting antiserum 78J but not with glucagon "specific" antiserum 30K and has an isoelectric point (pl) of 9.5, whereas canine pancreatic glucagon has a pl of 6.25. When combined with glucagon, the GLI-glucagon mixture gives 48J assay values between GLI and this crossreacting antiglucagon serum and thus conceals it in glucagon-containing extracts.


Neural mediation of compensatory adrenal growth. Spinal cord hemisection between T2 and T3 inhibits compensatory adrenal growth when the contralateral but not the ipsilateral adrenal is removed (p less than 0.01). Pretreatment of left adrenals with 1 or 2% lidocaine, but not with saline, before removal inhibits compensatory right adrenal growth that is normally observed at 12 h (p less than 0.01). These results provide further functional evidence that both afferent and efferent neural elements mediate adrenal growth after unilateral adrenalectomy.


Porcine gastric insulin.

Porcine gastric insulin. We recently found that plasma from pancreatectomized pigs contained concentrations of insulin of 5-10 muU/ml up to five days after pancreatectomy. In search of an extrapancreatic source of insulin, acid-ethanol extracts of porcine stomach and small bowel mucosa were investigated for the presence of insulin. The extracts of the stomach contained large amounts of insulin immunoreactivity while insulin was not detectable in extracts of the small bowel. Upon gel filtration, immunoreactive insulin eluted from the gastric mucosa in a major peak corresponding to the elution volume of an insulin standard and a minor peak corresponding to the elution volume of a proinsulin standard.


[Long-term diabetes--a special form of diabetes]. Two hundred and eight long-term diabetics from the diabetic population of one district were examined thoroughly by physicians of the several special branches and compared with a control group consisting of biostatic twins with a healthy metabolism. Case control was performed for 5 years. The frequent absence of pathological findings in the coronary, peripheric and cerebral regions as well as a significantly high percentage of standard weight and underweight were found to be characteristic signs in that patients who survived their diabetes for several tens of years. Five years after the first registration, 68 long-term diabetics and 23 subjects of the control group had been died. However, the excess mortality does not surpass the mortality of subjects diseased for a short period. Besides the age and the duration of the manifestation, the survival rate was found to be dependent on the degree of the micro- and macroangiopathies, hypertension and over-weight. On the other hand, the duration of the diabetes and the metabolic condition did not exert any perceptible influence.


Further evidence for a predominantly maternal transmission of maturity-onset type diabetes. A significantly increased maternal diabetes transmission was observed in young diabetics with maturity-onset type diabetes as compared to those with classical juvenile-onset type diabetes (P less than 0.001). With respect to paternal diabetes transmission, on the other hand, there was not found a similar difference between both types of diabetes mellitus.


Epididymal response to exogenous testosterone in rats sterilized neonatally by estrogen. Male rats treated with estradiol dipropionate (250 mug) by subcutaneous injection on Day 5 of postnatal life failed to show maturation changes in the testis and epididymis at puberty. Histological examination at 60 days revealed inhibition of spermatogenesis at primary spermatocyte stage and atrophic Leydig cells. Epididymis presented infantile features and there was a marked reduction in the secretory activity as revealed by lowered concentration of sialic acid and glycerylphosphorylcholine. Testosterone therapy (1 mg/day) for a period 45 days prior to autopsy at 60 days failed to induce completion of spermatogenesis but restored the structural and functional integrity of the epididymis.


FSH and testosterone levels in the plasma of juvenile male rats after application of ovine FSH, HCG and PMS at different ages. Male rats of the Wistar/Han strain are treated with ovine FSH, hCG or PMS in various doses for twelve days, beginning on the 1st, 12th, 24th or 36th day of life each. The determination of FSH in plasma by radioimmunoassay at the end of the treatment shows that all exogenous gonadotropins depress the FSH levels to immeasurable values. Plasma testosterone increases after application of hCG and PMS, not ovine FSH. To explain these findings a hypothalamic inhibition of the FSH release by a "short feedback" mechanism is discussed.


Effect of prolactin administration on ovarian and thyroidal activity in relation to gonadotropic and thyrotropic potency in a freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Radiophosphorus incorporation by ovary was the criterion used for the assessment of ovarian activity in H. fossilis. Prolactin administration at different dose levels failed to elicit any obvious change in ovarian 32P uptake. From the findings of this experiment it appears that prolactin has no influence on ovarian activity. However, it exerted an inhibitory effect on the thyroid activity in intact H. fossilis. It was evident by retarded thyroidal 131I uptake. But the declension in serum PB131I was less pronounced. TSH content of the pituitary gland in response to prolactin administration was also reduced. It seems that prolactin interferes in thyroidal iodine accumulation perhaps by retarding the synthesis of TSH, but apparently does not prevent thyroxine output to a perceptible level.


Antiandrogenic and antirenotropic effect of spironolactone. Spironolactone given to male mice in dose 1.5 mg for 21 days produced significant changes not only in the highly androgen dependent seminal vesicles but also in the kidneys. Spironolactone blocked the action of endogenous testosterone in intact mice and led to further significant decrease in seminal vesicles and kidney weight in castrated mice. Such an effect could be due to a blocking of androgenic action of adrenal steroids.


Changes in hypothalamic serotonin concentration following manipulations on the gonadotrophic gonadal axis of the constant estrous anovulatory (CEA) rat. The effect of pinealectomy or of injection of luteinizing hormone (LH) containing pituitary extract on the serotonin concentration of the hypothalamus was comparatively investigated in female rats with three different types of constant estrous anovulatory (CEA) syndrome. CEA syndrome was provoked by frontal hypothalamic deafferentation (FHD), by neonatal androgen treatment (NA) and by exposure of continuous illumination (light induced constant estrous; LCE syndrome). Pinealectomy caused an increase in hypothalamic serotonin concentration in the FHD rat, but failed to increase it in the NA and LCE group. The injection of crude anterior pituitary extract, however, provoked significant elevation of the hypothalamic serotonin concentration equally in all three types of CEA syndrome. Ovariectomy in itself failed to cause any significant change in the serotonin level of the brain. However, pinealectomy or the injection of LH containing pituitary extract proved to be effective also in the ovariectomized CEA animals. It is concluded that the increase in the brain-serotonin concentration of CEA rats, observed after pinealectomy or after injection of LH containing crude pituitary estract, is running through a hypothalamo-pituitary mechanism rather than through the hormone secreting activity of the ovaries.


Radioimmunoassay of LH in blood plasma of farm animals. A radioimmunoassay technique has been developed for measuring LH in blood plasma of cattle, sheep and pigs, by using an antiserum against bovine LH. Either ovine or bovine LH could be used for labelling and calibration curves in case of these two species, while porcine LH was to be taken in case of pigs. Working range of the calibration curve was 0.3 to 20 ng/ml. The between-assay error ranged from 17 to 7.5% between 1 to 5 ng/ml, the within-assay error from 10 to 4%, respectively. A system of quality control of the assay was developed, based on a series of pretested sera by using the chi-square function.


Plasma corticosterone during postnatal ontogenesis in rats: comparison of protein-binding and fluorometric method. Competitive protein-binding method was used for determination of plasma corticosterone levels in rat during postnatal ontogenesis until 600 days of age. The level of corticosterone was high after birth, decreased until 5th day of life and then again increased at the end of the second week. During adolescence, when the sexual differentiation begins the levels of plasma corticosterone in females become permanently higher than those of males. Moreover, the comparison of plasma corticosterone level as measured with the aid of competitive protein-binding method and fluorometric method was described in hypophysectomised, stressed and normal male rats. The correlation between both methods was satisfactory, but the results obtained with a competitive protein-binding method were, on an average, by 35% lower. The specificity, precision and recovery of competitive protein-binding assay were found to be satisfactory. This method was found to be of advantage for a determination of plasma corticosterone level in small laboratory animals because of a small volume of plasma necessary.


Histochemical studies on the effect of thyroid hormone on alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in liver of fish and amphibia. The Lata fishes (Ophicephalus punctatus) showed increased alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in liver after immersion for 15-30 days in thyroxine-containing medium (0.025 mug/ml). A single injection of thyroxine (1-2 mug/g of body weight) caused increased acid phosphatase activity in liver of Lata fish in comparison to the controls on the 5th day after experiment but the alkaline phosphatase activity remained unchanged. Both alkaline and acid phosphatases showed increased activities in liver of Lata fishes treated with a single injection of 4 mug of thyroxine per g of body weight on the 5th day. Immersion of Lata fishes in thiourea solution (1 mg/ml) for 15 days did not show any alteration in alkaline or acid phosphatase activities but these enzyme activities decreased after 30 days' immersion in thiourea solution in comparison to the controls. A seasonal variation of alkaline and acid phosphatase activities was observed in liver of Lata fishes. More alkaline phosphatase activity was found in liver of summer fishes than in winter fishes. The winter fishes showed more acid phosphatase activity than the summer fishes. Three consecutive injections of thyroxine (0.1 mug/g of body weight) to toads (Bufo melanostictus) caused increased alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in liver on the 5th day of the experiment, in comparison to the controls.